U.N. Security Council Backs Iraq in Confronting Jihadists

The U.N. Security Council on Friday expressed support for Iraq's new government as it confronts Islamist fighters.

The 15-member council adopted a statement backing Iraq at a meeting chaired by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and attended by some 35 countries in a show of solidarity for Baghdad's anti-jihadist stance.

The council said it "strongly condemns attacks by terrorist organizations, including the terrorist organization operating under the name 'Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant' (ISIL)."

"This large-scale offensive poses a major threat to the region," it said.

The council called on the international community to support the efforts of the new Iraqi government to "maintain security and combat terrorism and to create a safe, stable and prosperous future for the people of Iraq."

ISIL, which now calls itself the Islamic State, has taken control of large swathes of Iraq and Syria, targeting religious minorities and executing Westerners.