We’ll take on IS says the Arab League

The resolution, issued after late-night meetings of Arab foreign ministers a day earlier, does not explicitly back American military action against the group.

US president Barack Obama is seeking an international coalition to challenge the Islamic State group and is expected to outline his plan tomorrow.

But the resolution, issued as a separate statement from a comprehensive one dealing with Arab affairs, reflected a new sense of urgency among the 22 member states to challenge the militant group that has seized large territories in Iraq and Syria.

The resolution calls for immediate measures to combat the group on the political, defence, security and legal levels. It did not elaborate.

The resolution backed the United Nations resolution issued last month that imposed sanctions on a number of the group’s fighters and called on countries to adopt measures to combat terrorism. The council resolution was adopted under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter, meaning it can be militarily enforced.

US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected in the region this week to discuss details of the coming US policy.

Iraq faces an unprecedented crisis after the Islamic State group’s offensive, which included militants committing beheadings and mass killings while targeting minorities in the country.

In yesterday’s attack, the bomber drove an explosives-laden Humvee, apparently seized from the Iraqi military, into the gathering of a major Sunni tribe, the Jabour, and security forces in Duluiyah, some 80km (45 miles) north of Baghdad, a police officer said.