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TEN Arab countries promised US Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday to “do their share” in the fight against Islamic State (Isis) militants, but Nato member Turkey refused to join in.
The Arab states’ endorsement came as the CIA doubled its assessment of how many fighters Isis could muster.
The 10 announced their backing following a meeting with Mr Kerry in Jiddah.
Meanwhile, the CIA said new intelligence estimates Isis can muster between 20,000 and 31,500 fighters across Iraq and Syria, up from a previous figure of 10,000.
CIA spokesman Ryan Trapani claimed the new total reflected stronger recruitment since June, following the group’s declaration of a caliphate.
The meeting ended with Saudi Arabia, other Gulf states, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon pledging support.
