G7 agree to stir up joint efforts in fighting extremism, terrorism
G7 leaders agreed to stir up joint efforts in fighting extremism and terrorism, British Prime Minister David Cameron said at a press conference on Thursday after the G7 Summit held in Brussels on June 4-5, 2014.
"We also discussed what I believe is the greatest threat we face. How we counter extremism and the threat that terrorist groups operating elsewhere pose to the safety of our people both at home and abroad," he said.
"This year, we will bring our troops home from Afghanistan. They can be proud of what they have achieved over the last decade - denying terrorists a safe haven from which to plot attacks against Britain or the United States," he said.
"But at the same time as we have reduced the threat from that region, so Al-Qaeda franchises have grown in other parts of the world," he said.
"Our approach must be tough, patient, intelligent and based on strong international partnerships," Cameron said.
"When it comes to Syria, now the number one destination for jihadists anywhere in the world, we have agreed to intensify our efforts to address the threat of foreign fighters travelling to and from Syria. We will be introducing new measures in the UK to prosecute those who plan and train for terrorism abroad. And here at the G7, we have agreed to do more to work with Syria’s neighbours to strengthen border security and to disrupt the terrorist financing that funds these jihadist training camps," he said.
"In Libya, we want to help the government as it struggles to overcome the disastrous legacy of Qadhafi’s misrule and to build a stable, peaceful and prosperous future," he stated.
"Barack [Obama] and I have both each recently appointed envoys who will be working together to support efforts to reach a much needed political settlement. And we are fulfilling our commitment to train the Libyan security forces, with the first tranche of recruits due to begin their training in the UK this month," he said.
"In Nigeria, we are both committed to supporting the Nigerian government and its neighbours as they confront the scourge of Boko Haram. In the longer term, we stand ready to provide more practical assistance to help the Nigerians and the region to strengthen their defence and security institutions and to develop the expertise needed to counter these barbaric extremists," he said.
