World leaders aim for stepped-up response to Islamic State

Meeting with other world leaders in Turkey in the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks, President Obama said Sunday the U.S.-led coalition will step up its efforts to “eliminate” the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.

From Taiwan to Brazil, countries show solidarity with France by projecting the blue, white and red colors of the country’s flag on landmarks.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday urged G20 leaders to focus on growth strategies in their summit in the Turkish seaside resort of Antalya.

Asked by reporters whether he would consider additional action against IS following the Paris attacks, Obama declined to tip his hand.

The frosty atmosphere at Putin’s previous meetings with Obama has become a symbol of the decline in Russia-US relations, with the Russian leader seen slumped in his chair legs akimbo and the U.S. president appearing deeply uncomfortable.

“We will of course carry on with our discussions in the G20 summit within the predetermined agenda, however we will put strong emphasis on having a firm stance on worldwide terrorism”, he said.

World leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi today observed one minute of silence here at the G20 Summit to pay tribute to the victims of terror attacks in Paris and Ankara.

The need for continued peace efforts in Syria was made all the more palpable by the terrorist attacks in Paris Friday, which killed at least 129 people.

The two heads of state held the summit in an unlikely venue, nearby a potted palm tree as other delegates wandered by and security agents partially obstructed the view of the television camera.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he welcomed the renewed sense of urgency to find a solution to the war in Syria after the Paris attacks, adding the world had a “rare moment” of diplomatic opportunity to end the violence.

The Daesh (ISIL) terrorists, who were initially trained by the Central Intelligence Agency in Jordan in 2012 to destabilize the Syrian government, have claimed responsibility for the deadly attacks in France. “Normally, we would steal this”, she laughed, as she returned it. “But in the interests of mutual cooperation…”

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said: “Those who organised, who perpetrated the attacks are the very same people who, as refugees, are fleeing”.

“We are united in condemning the barbaric attacks in Paris this week and the recent bombings in Ankara and Lebanon”. “We will work more closely with the worldwide community to reject and fight terrorism in all its manifestations”, he said.