DHAKA: French president Francois Hollande says the global threat posed by Islamic State (IS) militants must meet a global response.

He was opening an international summit of foreign ministers in Paris aimed at combating the jihadist group, reports the BBC.

About 40 countries, including 10 Arab states, have signed up to a coalition to help fight IS in Iraq and Syria.

The conference follows a whirlwind tour of the Middle East by US Secretary of State John Kerry.

Kerry, who is also attending the summit, has been drumming up support for a plan of action unveiled by president Barack Obama last week.

Islamic State controls large parts of Iraq and Syria. The CIA estimates that the group could have as many as 30,000 fighters in the region.

BDST: 1650 HRS, SEP 15, 2014