German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who has been on a visit to Saudi Arabia in the last few days, presented a four-part plan for stopping the advance of the Islamic State (aka ISIS) in an interview with Al Sharq al-Awsat.
The first part of the plan involves a political move in Iraq that will include all of the groups within the country's populace. Iraqi prime minister Haidar al-Abadi is already working in this direction, said Steinmeier.
In addition, Steinmeier's plan calls for reaching an understanding with the region's countries regarding joint action against ISIS, a campaign against the ideology of ISIS and similar groups, and steps on the international level, to block combat fighters and funds from reaching ISIS.
The talks between Steinmeier and his Saudi counterpart focused on the coordination of steps in the war on ISIS, as well as other developments in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, ISIS continues a multi-pronged offensive in Iraq and Syria. In western Iraq, its men have overrun a military base, destoyed Iraqi military APCs, and carried out attacks by means of mortar shells, explosive charges, car bombs and sniper fire. In the Kurdish city of Kobani, ISIS has gradually been taking over.