News Digest

Japan PM pledges billions for Mideast countries battling Islamic State

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has pledged $2.5 billion in non-military aid for the Middle East as well as US$200 million in non-military assistance for countries battling Islamic State. Prime Minister Abe, in Cairo on the first leg of a regional tour that includes visits to Jordan and Israel, said the world would suffer an “immeasurable loss” if terrorism spreads. Islamic State controls large parts of OPEC oil producer Iraq and neighbouring Syria and wants to redraw the map of a region vital for Japan’s energy needs.

It goes without saying that the stability of the Middle East is the foundation for peace and prosperity for the world, and of course for Japan. I will pledge assistance of a total of about $200 million for those countries contending with ISIL, to help build their human capacities, infrastructure, and so on.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told a meeting of the Japan-Egypt Business Committee in Cairo

The Japanese leader stressed the need for economic growth in the Middle East, where militants often try to exploit frustrations with issues such as unemployment and neglected schools to gain recruits. Security crackdowns alone have failed to defeat militancy in Egypt, the most populous Arab country, and other states as well. Prime Minister Abe said there was “no shortcut to nipping violence in the bud”. “There is no way other than bringing stability to people’s livelihoods and fostering a middle class,” Abe said.