World Bulletin / News Desk

United States Secretary of State John Kerry on Saturday said that Egypt could play a decisive role in an international fight against terror by rejecting the ideology of the so-called 'Islamic State' (IS) organization.

Speaking to the media following a meeting in Cairo with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukri, Kerry added that Egypt is on the frontline of the fight against terrorism, particularly in the Sinai Peninsula, northeastern Egypt.

He said he discussed with Egyptian officials a bid by his country to broaden an international coalition against IS, which had overrun large territories in both Iraq and Syria and threatens to expand its activities to other neighboring states.

Shoukri, for his part, said his country would back all efforts aiming at eradicating terrorism in the Middle East region.

Kerry is in Cairo following a visit to Saudi Arabia where he was discussing the formation of an international coalition against IS and support for the newly-formed government in Iraq.

Since early last month, the U.S. has carried out a total of 143 airstrikes across Iraq against sites said to be held by the Islamic State.

Kurdish Peshmerga fighters and Iraqi government troops – backed by U.S. air support – are said to have recently made slow but steady progress in areas under the group's control.