CAIRO // Arab League foreign ministers yesterday created the possiblity of military action by member states against ISIL after they agreed to use all necessary measures to confront the group.
Foreign ministers also agreed to cooperate with all international, regional and national efforts to combat militant groups and endorsed a UN Security Council resolution passed last month calling on member states to act to stem the flow of logistical, military and financial support to extremists in Iraq and Syria.
Before the meeting in Cairo began, secretary general Nabil Elaraby said ISIL and other militants threatened the existence of Arab states.
The meeting of Arab foreign ministers came as the United States expanded air strikes against the militants in Iraq and sought wider regional backing for its campaign.
“What is needed is a clear decision for a comprehensive confrontation, militarily and politically,” Mr Elaraby said a day after he and US secretary of state John Kerry discussed taking action against the group that controls parts of Syria and Iraq.
The league’s statement was a boost for Barack Obama, who last week said Arab support was crucial to help the US, and a coalition of nine other countries, fight the group.
“What we have got to make sure is that we are organising the Arab world, the Middle East, the Muslim world, along with the international community to isolate this cancer.”
The US president said on Sunday that he will make a speech to lay out his “game plan” to deal with and ultimately defeat ISIL on Wednesday, but warned he would not wage another ground war in Iraq.
Mr Elaraby criticised infighting between Arab countries, which he said had led to inaction by the 22-member bloc.
“While some states object to allowing the Arab League to intervene in their internal crises, the floodgates are opened to foreign intervention, including militarily,” he said.
Mr Elaraby, a former foreign minister of Egypt, called for the activation of an Arab defence treaty to allow for military action when needed.
Iraq on Saturday welcomed Mr Obama’s plan for an international coalition against ISIL fighters as a “strong message of support”, after repeatedly calling for aid in its fight.
Mr Obama outlined the plan at a Nato summit on Friday for a broad coalition to defeat ISIL, which led an offensive that overran parts of Iraq in June and also holds significant territory in Syria.
ISIL was originally an Al Qaeda affiliate in Iraq that expanded in the Syrian conflict.
The group’s astonishing rise in Syria and Iraq caught the weak government in Baghdad, and much of the region, off guard.
Mr Elaraby said ISIL was a threat to the entire region.
“What is happening in Iraq is that the terrorist organisation not only threatens a state’s authority, but threatens its very existence and the existence of other states.”
Arab countries have participated in western-led military campaigns in the past, including the first Gulf War and the aerial campaign against former Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi.
Aside from fighting in Iraq, Arab states are concerned that ISIL is coordinating with domestic extremists and that militants who travelled to join the group may conduct attacks on their return home.
In Egypt, several militants who have carried out attacks on security forces since the army overthrew Islamist president Mohammed Morsi in 2013 had travelled to fight in Syria.
Egypt’s main militant group, Ansar Beit Al Maqdis, has not publicly pledged its loyalty to ISIL, but has referred to the militants as “brothers”.
The league also discussed the Gaza conflict, the political crisis in Yemen and peace talks in Sudan.
The UAE delgation in Cairo was led by Dr Anwar Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
* Agence France-Presse and Wam
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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UAE rugby in numbers
5 - Year sponsorship deal between Hesco and Jebel Ali Dragons
700 - Dubai Hurricanes had more than 700 playing members last season between their mini and youth, men's and women's teams
Dh600,000 - Dubai Exiles' budget for pitch and court hire next season, for their rugby, netball and cricket teams
Dh1.8m - Dubai Hurricanes' overall budget for next season
Dh2.8m - Dubai Exiles’ overall budget for next season
Biog:
Age: 34
Favourite superhero: Batman
Favourite sport: anything extreme
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Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
In numbers
- Number of children under five will fall from 681 million in 2017 to 401m in 2100
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3.15pm: Handicap Dh85,000 1,600m; Winner: Native Appeal, Adam McLean, Doug Watson.
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4.15pm: Handicap Dh100,000 1,400m; Winner: Pilgrim’s Treasure, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
