DHAKA: The US has announced that Nato allies have agreed to form a coalition to fight the Islamic State, with Barack Obama stating the group's "savage nihilism" must be confronted.

The US president said on Friday that the US and its key allies would be mount a sustained effort to push back the group, formerly known as ISIL, which he said posed a significant threat to Nato countries.

There would also be efforts to include Middle Eastern nations in the coalition, a concerted effort to cut the group's funding, and help those groups which reject the "nihilism" it has spread through Syria and Iraq, reports Al-Jazeera.

The announcement was made at the conclusion of a Nato summit in Wales, after high-level talks to agree a plan by the time the UN general assembly meets this month.

The coalition comprises the US, the UK, France, Australia, Germany, Canada, Turkey, Italy, Poland and Denmark.

** Nato agrees on new ‘spearhead’ force

BDST: 1012 HRS, SEP 06, 2014