UN political chief calls for information exchange to fight IS

UN member-states should ensure timely exchanges of information and financial intelligence to curb the financing of terrorism, a top UN official has said.

United Nations under-secretary-general for political affairs Jeffrey Feltman on Tuesday briefed the UN Security Council about a recent UN report on providing a strategic-level assessment of the threat posed by the Islamic State (IS) terror group, said UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric on Wednesday.

The report highlights that the emergence of the IS has been facilitated by the protracted conflicts and instability in Iraq and Syria, as well as the weakening of state institutions and a lack of effective control over territory and borders, Xinhua quoted Dujarric as saying.

Feltman called on UN member-states to ensure timely exchange of information and financial intelligence, implement relevant Security Council resolutions, and strengthen their collaboration with private sectors to address the threat.

He also urged countries to criminalise the travel of foreign terrorist fighters in accordance with relevant resolutions and take measures to strengthen border management, said Dujarric.

According to the UN report, 34 militant groups worldwide had reportedly pledged allegiance to the IS as of mid-December 2015.

The report called on UN member-states to prepare for a further increase in the number of foreign terrorist fighters travelling to other countries under the IS's instructions in 2016 and beyond.

Also on Tuesday, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution adding 68 corrections officers to the UN Mission in the Central African Republic.