Saudi to host regional anti-IS talks with Kerry

Saudi Arabia is to host talks between regional foreign ministers and John Kerry Thursday as the US secretary of state seeks to build a coalition against Islamic State jihadists, state media confirmed.

The meeting will bring together ministers from Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey as well as the six Gulf Arab states, the official Saudi Press Agency said.

A senior Egyptian official said earlier that Iraq would also attend while a Lebanese official said Beirut too would be represented.

The talks in the Saudi port city of Jeddah will address “terrorism in the region, extremist organisations behind it, and means of fighting them,” SPA said.