Arab League secretary-general Nabil El-Araby on Monday called for establishing a joint Arab military force to "fight terrorism", as well as to "help in peace missions and civilian protection."

El-Araby said in his speech at the Arab foreign ministers' summit in Cairo that there was an essential need for such a joint military force considering the huge challenges facing Arab states, especially "terrorism."

The secretary-general added that any political decision to deploy this force should be in accordance with the Arab League's charter and resolutions, the United Nations' charter and resolutions, and international law.

Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has repeatedly called for a joint Arab military force, as well as international support, to "fight terrorism" in the wake of the Islamic State militant group beheading of 20 Copts in Lybia last month.

Last week, the Arab League announced that the Egyptian suggestion would be discussed during the Arab Summit later this month.

Jordanian foreign minister Nasser Gouda recently expressed Jordan's support to the suggestion, also at the Arab foreign minister summit.

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