Adopted unanimously, UN resolution 2249 urges UN members to "redouble" action against terrorism but does not include Chapter VII to authorise the use of force. In Belgium, authorities issue an "imminent threat” warning in Brussels, urging people to stay away from crowded areas. The city’s metro system is closed until Sunday.

New York (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The United Nations Security Council has unanimously adopted a resolution to "redouble" action against Islamic State (IS) group.

The French-drafted document urges UN members to "take all necessary measures" against IS, and condemns the deadly attacks in Paris, Beirut, Ankara, and Sousse (Tunisia), as well as the crash of the Russian passenger plane in the Sinai.

The Council called on member states to "eradicate the safe haven" IS established in parts of Iraq and Syria.

The document also stressed that nations should "redouble and co-ordinate their efforts to prevent and suppress terrorist attacks".

However, it did not invoke the UN's Chapter VII, which gives specific legal authorisation for the use of force.

France and Russia have argued that military action is already justifiable because of the right of countries to self-defence.

Meanwhile, Belgian authorities raised the terror alert to its highest level in the capital, Brussels, warning of an "imminent threat".

As part of this, the public is urged to avoid crowds, including shopping centres and concerts. Likewise, the city's metro system and other underground train lines have been closed until at least Sunday.

Salah Abdeslam, one of those people wanted in connection with the Paris attacks, is believed to have gone back to Belgium.

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