THE UN Security Council has demanded that all states make it a serious criminal offence for their citizens to travel abroad to fight with militant groups, or to recruit and fund others to do so, in a move sparked by the rise of Islamic State.

At a meeting chaired by ­President Barack Obama, the 15-member council unanimously adopted a US-drafted resolution that compels countries to "prevent and suppress" the recruitment and travel of militant fighters to foreign conflicts.

Some 12,000 fighters from more than 70 nations including Britain are thought to have travelled to Syria and Iraq to fight with extremist groups such as Islamic State, which has taken over swathes of the two countries.

Mr Obama also made his case to the UN for a more forceful, coordinated global response against the Islamic militants in the Middle East that would seek to dismantle their "network of death".

Before the president spoke to the UN General Assumbly in New York, US-led airstrikes pounded targets for the third time this week. He told the meeting the Security Council resolution would underscore the responsibility of states to counter extremism.

He added: "But resolutions must be followed by tangible commitments, so we're accountable when we fall short. Next year, we should all be prepared to announce the concrete steps we have taken to counter extremist ideologies in our own countries."

Speaking in support of Mr Obama's proposed measures against foreign fighters, Mr Cameron told the Security Council: "The conflict in Iraq and Syria is shocking the world with its barbarity. It is literally medieval in character. But one of the most disturbing aspects is how this conflict is sucking in our own young people, from modern, prosperous societies. The threat to our security from foreign fighters is far greater today that it has ever been in previous conflicts."

Earlier, he announced the recall of Parliament tomorrow to seek MPs' approval for British involvement in air strikes in Iraq. MPs will return for a vote which could clear the way for RAF planes to join in bombarding IS positions as early as the weekend, with Ed Miliband making clear Labour will support the Government's position.

Yesterday, Mr Cameron became the first UK prime minister to hold talks with an Iranian president since the revolution of 1979, using the meeting to seek to enlist Hassan Rouhani's backing for the international coalition against IS.

The Iranian president, who studied at Glasgow Caledonian University in the 1990s, posted a picture of the two of them shaking hands on his Twitter feed.

Following the meeting with Mr Rouhani, Downing Street said: "The Prime Minister and President noted the threat posed to the whole region by Isil, and agreed that all states in the region must do more to cut off support for all terrorist groups, including financial support." Downing Street also praised assistance given by Iran to the Iraqi government.

Elsewhere, Admiral Lord West, the former Security Minister, said IS was "like the Nazis at their worst". He claimed the extremists were bent on destroying the British state and countries in the West must use "everything in our armoury" to eradicate them.

In a separate development, the Foreign Office said it was "aware" of reports a UK national had died in Syria but it had "no further information at this moment".

Meanwhile, a French mountaineering guide has been beheaded by Algerian extremists allied withIS. French President Francois Hollande confirmed the death of Herve Gourdel, 55, saying he had been "assassinated" as his country was fighting terrorism.