The Muslim Council of Elders welcomed Saudi Arabia's announcement to establish an Islamic military coalition against terrorism to comprise 34 countries.

In a statement, the Council, chaired by Al Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed el Tayyeb, said the coalition will work on eradicating terrorism and entrenching peace not only in Muslim communities but around the world.

Arab and Islamic efforts have to be united against terrorism, it said, hoping that the coalition will be the real start of serious cooperation among Muslim countries.

The Council fully supports the coalition's efforts to combat terrorism and urges all Islamic countries to join it, the statement said.

Sources: MENA