U.S. General John Allen, former commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces in Afghanistan, speaks during U.S. Independence Day celebrations in Kabul, July 4, 2012.
(Photo: Reuters)
U.S. President Barack Obama's envoy charged with building the coalition against the Islamic State militant group will visit Iraq, Belgium, Jordan, Egypt and Turkey, the State Department said on Thursday.
Retired Gen. John Allen's trip, his first abroad in his new role, is "in support of international coalition efforts to degrade and defeat ISIL," the State Department said. referring to the Islamic State group.
U.S. officials have said his main purpose is to garner greater support for the coalition, which has conducted air strikes against IS targets in Iraq and Syria.
Short link: