Don't turn ISIS fight into battle against all Muslims, says German minister in veiled warning to Trump

German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen speaks at the opening of the 53rd Munich Security Conference in Munich, Germany, on Feb 17, 2017. PHOTO: REUTERS

MUNICH (Reuters) - German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen warned on Friday (Feb 17) against turning the fight against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) group into a battle against all Muslims.

"We should take care not to turn this fight into a front against Islam and Muslims in general," von der Leyen said, according to the text of her speech, in a thinly veiled warning to the United States.

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he would issue a new executive order to replace his controversial directive suspending travel to the United States by citizens of seven mostly Muslim countries.

He has said the directive was aimed at protecting the country from terrorist attacks.

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