Obama pushes for global coalition against IS in address to UN

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UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 25 (PNA/Xinhua) — U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday called on countries in the world to join U.S.-led coalition to destroy extremist group Islamic State (IS), saying that the only language terrorists understand is force.

“There can be no reasoning — no negotiation — with this brand of evil,” Obama said in a speech at the United Nations General Assembly. “So the United States of America will work with a broad coalition to dismantle this network of death.”

Obama’s address came over a day after U.S. and five Arab countries launched an air campaign against IS targets in Syria, a part of the President’s comprehensive strategy to “degrade and ultimately destroy” the extremist group that has controlled large swaths of land in Syria and Iraq.

“In this effort, we do not act alone. Nor do we intend to send U.S. troops to occupy foreign lands,” Obama said. “Today, I ask the world to join in this effort.”

The President reiterated his strategy to conduct air strikes to roll back IS while supporting Iraqi forces and Syrian rebels to reclaim their communities, adding that over 40 countries have offered to join the coalition against IS.

“Those who have joined ISIL should leave the battlefield while they can. Those who continue to fight for a hateful cause will find they are increasingly alone,” Obama said.

On Wednesday afternoon, Obama will chair a special session of the UN Security Council to tackle the issue of foreign fighters joining extremist groups.

The Security Council is expected to adopt a resolution that “underscores the responsibility of states to counter violent extremism,” Obama said.

“But resolutions must be followed by tangible commitments, so we’re accountable when we fall short,” he added.

In his speech, Obama also called on the Muslim world to reject the “cancer” of terrorism.

“It is time for the world — especially Muslim communities — to explicitly, forcefully and consistently reject the ideology of al Qaeda and ISIL,” Obama said, using an alternate acronym for IS.