Abbott tells UN Australia's response to IS will be 'utterly unflinching'

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has called Islamic State (IS) a death cult, warned world leaders their nations are potential targets and said Australia's response would be "utterly unflinching" in his address to the UN Security Council.

Mr Abbott's address came as US and Arab aircraft resumed bombing raids against IS targets in Syria, with some strikes hitting oil fields held by the group.

"To use this term [Islamic State] is to dignify a death cult; a death cult that, in declaring itself a caliphate, has declared war on the world," he told the council.

Earlier US president Barack Obama spoke at the assembly vowing to keep up military pressure on IS.

more: Abbott tells UN Australia's response to IS will be 'utterly unflinching'

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has called Islamic State (IS) a death cult, warned world leaders their nations are potential targets and said Australia's response would be "utterly unflinching" in his address to the UN Security Council.

Mr Abbott's address came as US and Arab aircraft resumed bombing raids against IS targets in Syria, with some strikes hitting oil fields held by the group.

"To use this term [Islamic State] is to dignify a death cult; a death cult that, in declaring itself a caliphate, has declared war on the world," he told the council.

Earlier US president Barack Obama spoke at the assembly vowing to keep up military pressure on IS.