This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-31446798
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
UN Security Council targets Islamic State financing | UN Security Council targets Islamic State financing |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution aimed at cracking down on trade with, and ransom payments to, Islamic State (IS) militants. | |
The measure calls for sanctions on any person or group trading with IS. | |
In the US, Republicans are trying to toughen legislation President Barack Obama has sent to Congress authorising military action against IS. | |
The US Senate has voted overwhelmingly to approve Pentagon official Ashton Carter as the new defence secretary. | |
He replaces Chuck Hagel, who resigned in November, and is likely to play a key role trying to persuade Congress to pass the legislation on military force. | |
The UN resolution was passed unanimously, another indication of how the international community has come together to target IS, said the BBC's Nick Bryant. | |
A UN report estimates jihadist groups are earning up to $1.65m (£1m) per day from oil sales, and at least $35m a year from ransom payments. | |
The UN resolution is expected to put pressure on the Turkish government as the country is considered a key transit point for oil shipments, with trucks often returning to Iraq and Syria with refined products. | |
It also extends a ban on the trade in antiquities looted from Iraq, which was already in place, to also cover items taken from Syrian territory. | |
The text of the resolution does not authorise the use of military force against IS targets. | The text of the resolution does not authorise the use of military force against IS targets. |
Republican pressure | |
President Obama has sent a formal request to Congress for authorisation for further military action against IS targets. | |
But Republicans, who control the House and Senate, want changes, and are pressing for stronger action from the Obama administration. | |
Ed Royce, the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said coalition strikes against IS had not gone far enough. | |
"This air campaign isn't pummelling the enemy as it should,'' he said. "Congressional authority is of no value if the president isn't willing to act decisively." | |
Mr Carter was approved by the Senate by a vote of 93 to five. | |
He was the Pentagon's second-highest ranking official for two years and has degrees in physics and medieval history. | |
In another development, an IS magazine published what it said was an interview with Hayat Boumeddiene, widow of the Paris hostage taker Amedy Coulibaly. | |
Coulibaly took several hostages, four of whom were killed, at a kosher supermarket in Paris, two days after gunmen stormed the offices of the magazine Charlie Hebdo. | Coulibaly took several hostages, four of whom were killed, at a kosher supermarket in Paris, two days after gunmen stormed the offices of the magazine Charlie Hebdo. |
The interview, published in Dar al-Islam, does not name Hayat Boumeddiene and does not feature any photographs of her but describes her as "the wife of Amedy Coulibaly". | |
She is quoted as saying Coulibaly was a supporter of the group's aim. | |
She is wanted for questioning in France in connection with the attacks in Paris, which took place several days after she is believed to have crossed into IS-controlled territory. | She is wanted for questioning in France in connection with the attacks in Paris, which took place several days after she is believed to have crossed into IS-controlled territory. |
Previous version
1
Next version