Both the EU and UN Security Council have taken action in wake of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris and Beirut last week.
France invoked Article 42(7) of the Treaty of the European Union at a meeting of the Council of the European Union on 16 and 17 November. The
outcome of the meeting indicates that Member States expressed their unanimous support for the move and will provide aid and assistance through bilateral arrangements. This is the first time that the mutual assistance clause has been invoked.
On 20 November, the Security Council passed Resolution 2249. In unprecendented language, the Security Council called upon Member States "that have the capacity to do so to take all necessary measures, in compliance with international law, in particular with the United Nations Charter, as well as international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, on the territory under the control of ISIL also known as Da’esh, in Syria and Iraq, to redouble and coordinate their efforts to prevent and suppress terrorist acts committed specifically by ISIL also known as Da’esh as well as ANF, and all other individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities associated with Al-Qaida, and other terrorist groups, as designated by the United Nations Security Council, and as may further be agreed by the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) and endorsed by the UN Security Council, pursuant to the statement of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) of 14 November, and to eradicate the safe haven they have established over significant parts of Iraq and Syria". The full text of the Resolution together with statements of countries during the meeting is available
here.
/ Sally
