United Nations to vote on resolution condemning Islamic State attacks

In its own words, resolution 2249 urges member states to “take all necessary measures, in compliance with worldwide law” against Isil and to eradicate the group’s safe havens in Iraq and Syria.

The Security Council unanimously approved the resolution, calling on all nations to redouble and coordinate action to prevent further attacks by Islamic State terrorists and other extremist groups.

The Security Council has issued 25 terrorism-related resolutions so far, the first of which was adopted a day after terrorist attacks in the USA on September 11, 2001. The competing resolutions threatened to undermine the movement toward unity on the Security Council, but Friday’s vote quelled concerns. But Russian Federation recently suffered the downing of the Metrojet airliner over Sinai bearing passengers from Egypt to St Petersburg and this week IS claimed it had executed a Chinese national.

It also urges states to intensify efforts to stem the flow of foreigners looking to fight with Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and to prevent and suppress financing of terrorism.

Russian Federation has repeatedly called for action to cut the terrorists’ financial lifelines, with President Vladimir Putin revealing on Monday that IS is receiving funding from 40 countries.

The resolution was drafted by France in the aftermath of the recent terror attacks in Paris.

“What we have seen is that there was a clear link between security of the EU’s external borders and security within the European Union”, she said.

Paris prosecutors said the men were checked by authorities in Greece on October 3.

United Nations Security Council backing for more concerted global action against the Islamic State (IS) was hailed as an “important moment” by Prime Minister David Cameron as he seeks to bolster support for UK air strikes in Syria.

Russian United Nations Ambassador Vitaly Churkin described the French text as a “good draft” and suggested on Thursday that the two proposals could be adopted separately.

During the November 13 Paris attacks, Daesh terrorists killed 132 people and wounded a few 350 others, a day after they killed 44 people and injured a few 240 others in twin blasts in the Lebanese capital.

The pressure was greatest on Russian Federation and China, both veto-wielding permanent members traditionally averse to any resolutions that could be perceived as interference in another country’s affairs.

The resolution has been welcomed by French President Francois Hollande, who said he is hopeful that it would enable countries to eliminate the Islamic State.