U.S. President Barack Obama (2nd L) shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel (L) as British Prime Minister David Cameron (2nd R) and  NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen (R) sit during the NATO Summit Leaders’ Meeting   Reuters
 
AFP

The United States urged Western allies at a NATO summit Friday to unite in a coalition that could "destroy" Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.
"There is no time to waste in building a broad international coalition to degrade and, ultimately, to destroy the threat posed by ISIL," Secretary of State John Kerry and Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel said in a joint statement.
The remarks followed talks chaired by the United States and summit hosts Britain with defence and foreign ministers from Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Turkey.
The US has conducted air strikes in northern Iraq in recent weeks, allowing Kurdish and Iraqi forces to regain ground lost against the jihadists.
But Washington has sought support for a broader international effort at the NATO summit here in Newport, south Wales.
The wider 28-nation military alliance is willing to help if there is a request from Baghdad, likely providing training and coordination with other countries' efforts against IS, Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen told reporters.
Rasmussen said he "warmly welcomed" efforts by the US and its allies, saying: "I think the international community has an obligation to do all it can to stop this dangerous terrorist organisation."
He said NATO nations had also agreed to exchange more information on foreign fighters returning from Iraq and Syria to Europe and the United States, amid fears they will carry out attacks on home soil.
Pressure to act has intensified since the beheadings of US and British journalists were revealed in videos showing a militant speaking in British English.
In response to the US call for a coalition, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said his country had made "no commitment to take part in any air strikes as yet".
"But we'll certainly consider that possibility if we think that it is the best and most effective way to support a credible and inclusive Iraqi government," he said.
The first step would likely be to arm Kurdish fighters who are already confronting IS, something that London is "actively" considering.
Hammond added: "The clear message coming out of here is that we have to have a comprehensive response to the ISIL (IS) challenge."
France, Europe's other main military power, is also keeping its options open.
President Francois Hollande told fellow leaders on Thursday they should be "ready to tackle all aspects of the struggle against IS, including the military one but also working with neighbouring countries on the issue of foreign fighters", a diplomatic source said.