UN Security Council adopts resolution on foreign terrorist fighters

UNITED NATIONS - The UN Security Council on Wednesday adopted a resolution addressing the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters and expanding obligations on member states in responding to this threat.

Unanimously approved by the 15-nation body at a special session chaired by U.S. President Barack Obama, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the Council for September, the resolution aims to "prevent and suppress the recruiting, organizing, transporting or equipping" of people to perpetrate, plan, prepare or participate in extremist attacks.

Generally targeting foreign extremist fighters traveling to conflicts anywhere in world, the resolution called upon all member states to "cooperate in efforts to address the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters, including by preventing the radicalization to terrorism and recruitment of foreign terrorist fighters."

The resolution highlighted the obligation that member states shall prevent the entry into or transit through their territories of any suspected terrorists.

It also called for state cooperation to "prevent the travel of foreign terrorist fighters from or through their territories," by sharing information, assistance with criminal investigations, evidence gathering, as well as financing and capacity building assistance.

The resolution placed an emphasis on the importance of countering violent extremism in order to prevent terrorism and encouraged engagement with relevant local communities and non- governmental actors in developing strategies to address the conditions conducive to the spread of violent extremism.

The Council members stressed the urgent need to implement fully and immediately the resolution with respect to foreign terrorist fighters.