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Anti-IS coalition must hold gains: Bishop

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has told a summit countries need to contribute more to the anti-IS effort.

Julie Bishop (C) during a meeting of the coalition against IS
Julie Bishop has urged to coalition battling IS to ensure security gains in Syria are lasting. (AAP)

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Source: AAP


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Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has urged the coalition battling the Islamic State terror group to ensure security gains in Syria and Iraq are lasting.

She also called on countries in the region to de-escalate tensions and stop pursuing proxy conflicts, during a meeting with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and representatives from 66 other nations in the coalition against IS met in Washington DC on Wednesday.

The summit was underway when news broke of a terror attack in London.

Ms Bishop said there will be no peace in Iraq without political reconciliation or in Syria without a political solution and "regional countries must de-escalate tensions and stop pursuing proxy conflicts, particularly in Syria, to further their geo-political objectives".

"We need to help the Iraqi government provide emergency assistance to displaced populations, get them home and restore services," Ms Bishop said in a statement to the summit.

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"There must be national and local level reconciliation to overcome past divisions and deliver inclusive governance.

"The law must be applied equally and justly to all citizens.

"In Syria the coalition must stay focused on ISIS.

"However, a solution needs to be found for the wider conflict otherwise it will continue to act as an incubator of terrorism and extremism."

Mr Tillerson said the US would set up "interim zones of stability" to help refugees who fled IS and al-Qaeda in Iraq and Syria to return home.

Mr Tillerson also called on other countries to contribute more to the anti-IS effort.

"The United States will do its part, but the circumstances on the ground requires more from all of you," Mr Tillerson said.


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