Indonesia and Australia today co-hosted a counter-terrorism meeting to address the rising threat of foreign fighters, as the Philippines battles pro-Islamic State militants. <br/><br/>The one-day gathering in North Sulawesi brings together six countries including Malaysia, Philippines and New Zealand. <br/><br/>Ministers are due to discuss the challenges posed by growing terrorism in Southeast Asia as well as concerns that IS is trying establish a regional caliphate in the Philippines, where government forces are pitted against Islamist gunmen holed up in a southern city. <br/><br/>Indonesia's chief security minister Wiranto told newsmen late yesterday ahead of the event that he is hopeful that this meeting will produce a valuable outcome so together they could fight terrorism, especially in Marawi, Southern Phillipines.

Indonesia and Australia today co-hosted a counter-terrorism meeting to address the rising threat of foreign fighters, as the Philippines battles pro-Islamic State militants. <br/><br/>The one-day gathering in North Sulawesi brings together six countries including Malaysia, Philippines and New Zealand. <br/><br/>Ministers are due to discuss the challenges posed by growing terrorism in Southeast Asia as well as concerns that IS is trying establish a regional caliphate in the Philippines, where government forces are pitted against Islamist gunmen holed up in a southern city. <br/><br/>Indonesia's chief security minister Wiranto told newsmen late yesterday ahead of the event that he is hopeful that this meeting will produce a valuable outcome so together they could fight terrorism, especially in Marawi, Southern Phillipines.