G7 Tightens Defenses Against Syria's Foreign Fighters

BRUSSELS: Leaders of the Group of Seven industrialised nations decided Thursday to tighten defenses against the risk of terror attacks by European jihadists returning from the Syrian front.

"We have agreed to intensify efforts to address the issue of foreign fighters travelling to and from Syria," British Prime Minister David Cameron said at the close of a G7 summit.

He said talks were taking place with Syria's neighbours to strengthen their borders in the wake of an attack on the Jewish Museum in Brussels late last month believed to be the work of a young French jihadist fighter recently returned from Syria.

French President Francois Hollande said more than 30 French fighters had already died on the Syrian battlefront. Almost 800 French citizens are believed to have signed up to fight President Basahar al-Assad's regime.

Hollande too said it was essential "to cooperate to prevent, dissuade and punish" foreign fighters "who can undermine our security".

Read more: http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2014/Jun-05/259017-g7-tightens-defenses-against-syrias-foreign-fighters.ashx#ixzz33mpmSEht

(The Daily Star :: Lebanon News :: http://www.dailystar.com.lb)