UN welcomes stepped up action against Boko Haram

UN - The UN Security Council is urging nations in west and central Africa to step up regional military operations to counter Boko Haram and is welcoming a meeting in Cameroon to finalise plans for a 7,500-strong force to fight the Islamic extremists.

Cameroon and Chad joined Nigeria in launching an air and ground offensive this week and military action involving other nations is expected to increase following the meeting in Cameroon's capital, Yaounde, which began on Thursday and ends Saturday.

A council press statement on Thursday commended the Chadian army's swift assistance in the fight against Boko Haram in Nigeria which "neutralised" more than 200 terrorists and led to the recovery of territory from the militants.

Council members condemned the continued escalation of attacks by Boko Haram "in the strongest terms”.