UN Back Call To Combat IS Threat 'By All Means'

UN Back Call To Combat IS Threat 'By All Means'

23:25, UK, Friday 20 November 2015

The UN has unanimously backed a French call to redouble action against Islamic State in the wake of the Paris terror attacks.

The world powers also agreed to coordinate efforts aimed at preventing further atrocities by the terror group.

The resolution adopted by the UN Security Council said IS "constitutes a global and unprecedented threat to international peace and security".

And it expressed the council's determination "to combat by all means this unprecedented threat".

The vote comes a week after militants launched coordinated gun and bomb attacks in the French capital, killing 130 people.

Following the vote, Prime Minister David Cameron said: "This is an important moment. Today, the world has united against ISIL.

"The international community has come together and has resolved to defeat this evil, which threatens people of every country and every religion.

"The United Nations Security Council has unanimously backed action against this evil death cult in both Syria and Iraq.

"I will continue to make the case for us to do more and to build support in Parliament for the action that I believe is necessary for Britain to take to protect our own security, as part of a determined international strategy.

"We cannot expect others to shoulder the burdens and the risks of protecting this country."

The UN resolution did not invoke the chapter of the UN charter authorising the use of force.

But the PM, who insists there is a legal case for military action even without it, will hope it will bolster support at Westminster for his efforts to extend airstrikes against IS into Syria.

The Labour leader is strongly opposed to such a move and is to give a speech in which he will blame the Iraq and Afghanistan wars for terror attacks on Britain.

Seven days after the massacre in France, Parisians took to the city's streets in a united show of defiance.

Crowds gathered at the scenes of the attacks and landmarks to hold vigils and mark the exact moment a week on when the terrorists launched their deadly rampage.

Meanwhile, the Belgian authorities have brought terror charges against a third suspect over the attacks, with two others in custody.