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 The threat of Islamist militancy has come into sharp focus outside
the Middle East after gunmen killed 17 people in three days of
violence in Paris that began on Jan. 7 with an attack on the offices
of a newspaper that had published satirical images of the Prophet
Mohammad.
Islamic State controls large parts of OPEC oil producer Iraq and
neighboring Syria, has declared a caliphate and wants to redraw the
map of a region vital for Japan's energy needs.
"It goes without saying that the stability of the Middle East is the
foundation for peace and prosperity for the world, and of course for
Japan," Abe said in Cairo in the first leg of a regional tour.
"Should we leave terrorism or weapons of mass destruction to spread
in this region, the loss imparted upon the international community
would be immeasurable."
Highlighting his concern, Abe told a meeting of the Japan-Egypt
Business Committee that Tokyo would provide non-military financial
backing for countries fighting the al-Qaeda breakaway group, also
known as ISIL.
 "I will pledge assistance of a total of about 200 million U.S.
dollars for those countries contending with ISIL, to help build
their human capacities, infrastructure, and so on," said Abe.
Stability has remained elusive in the Middle East since the Arab
Spring uprisings toppled veteran autocrats and raised hopes of
democracy and economic prosperity.
"There is no shortcut to nipping violence in the bud. There is no
way other than bringing stability to people's livelihoods and
fostering a middle class, even if it takes time," Abe said.
'GREAT POSSIBILITIES'
In addition to the $2.2 billion in assistance Japan pledged for the
Middle East two years ago, Abe said his government would provide
another $2.5 billion in non-military assistance in fields such as
humanitarian assistance and infrastructure.
"The Middle East ... that's the region endowed with great
possibilities," said Abe, whose tour will also include Jordan, the
Palestinian territories, Lebanon and Turkey.
"And yet now it appears to be no exaggeration to say that the region
is exposed to a challenge that is among the most serious in its
modern history."
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The Japanese leader stressed the need for economic growth in the
Middle East, where militants often try to exploit frustrations with
issues such as unemployment and neglected schools to gain recruits.
Security crackdowns alone have failed to defeat militancy in Egypt,
the most populous Arab country, and other states as well.
Japan will provide Egypt with $360 million in loans for projects
including an airport and a power grid in a country suffering from an
energy crisis, Abe said.
"These are intended to contribute to Egypt's development, and by
extension, to widening the foundation for stability across the
entire region," he added.
Aside from tackling Islamic State, the region and Western leaders
also face the daunting task of securing serious progress on the
Israeli and Palestinian front.
"Japan believes that the day will come in the near future when we
can recognize Palestine as a state," said Abe.
"In order for that day to arrive sooner, we will appeal to both
Israel and Palestine to resume negotiations to advance the so-called
two-state solution."
(Writing by Michael Georgy; Editing by Pravin Char)
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