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Agence France-Presse

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman called Thursday for a united fight against terrorism in a speech to Indonesia’s parliament during a landmark state visit to the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country.
The challenge we, especially Muslims, face now is terrorism
Saudi Arabia’s King Salman
The king is making the first visit by a Saudi monarch to Indonesia in almost 50 years as part of a tour of Asia, accompanied by a 1,000-strong delegation and hundreds of tonnes of luggage.
In a speech to hundreds of people at the legislature in the capital Jakarta, he called for an intensified fight against terrorism.
“The challenge we, especially Muslims, face now is terrorism,” he said. “We should close ranks in combating terrorism, radicalism and strive to bring world peace for the benefit of all of us.”
Saudi Arabia is part of a US-led coalition that has carried out air strikes against the Islamic State (IS) group and other jihadists in Syria.
IS is under pressure in Iraq and Syria, as government forces make a drive to retake areas held by the jihadists.

Saudi Arabia has witnessed a series of deadly attacks claimed by IS since late 2014, mostly targeting the Shiite minority and security forces, killing dozens of people. However, some of the kingdom’s partners in the Middle East have urged the Sunni-majority country to do more to defeat IS, and even accused the kingdom of supporting the jihadists.

Indonesia, which has long struggled with Islamic militancy, is also facing a renewed threat due to the appeal of IS, with hundreds of its citizens heading to the Middle East to fight with the jihadists.
A gun and suicide attack in Jakarta in January last year that killed four civilians and four attackers was the first assault claimed by IS in Southeast Asia.
Saudi king reported to be taking almost 500 tonnes of luggage, including two limos, on trip
On Thursday Salman also visited Jakarta’s Istiqlal mosque, the biggest in Southeast Asia, accompanied by President Joko Widodo, and the leaders prayed together. The king and his entourage will be in Jakarta until Friday, after which they will head to the Hindu-majority resort island of Bali for a holiday.
Salman’s three-week Asian tour is seeking investment opportunities as the world’s top oil exporter looks to diversify its economy. He began the trip in Malaysia earlier this week and is also set to visit Japan, China and the Maldives.



Saudi king calls for a united fight against terrorism during landmark visit to Indonesia

Saudi King Salman delivers his speech as House Speaker Setya Novanto listens in the parliament in Jakarta, Indonesia. Photo: AP

King Salman of Saudi Arabia walks beside Indonesian President Joko Widodo before praying at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia March 2, 2017. REUTERS/Beawiharta

Saudi King Salman, center, and Indonesian President Joko Widodo, second left, walk after prayer at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, March, 2. 2017. Saudi Arabia pledged $1 billion in development finance for Indonesia and expanded cooperation in other areas, deepening ties with Southeast Asia's biggest economy as the Saudi king and a huge entourage continue a 9-day visit. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

epa05824187 Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud (R) waves as he is accompanied by Indonesian President Joko Widodo (L) during a visit at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia, 02 March 2017. The King is on a historic visit to Indonesia, the first visit by a Saudi head of state in 47 years. EPA/MAST IRHAM

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