Obama calls on US Congress to authorize use of military force against Islamic State

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WASHINGTON, January 13. /TASS/. US Congress should authorize the use of military force against the Islamic State (IS) terrorist organization [banned in Russia], US President Barack Obama said at his last State of the Nation address on Wednesday.

"If this Congress is serious about winning this war, and wants to send a message to our troops and the world, you should finally authorize the use of military force against ISIL [Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant — formed name of IS]. Take a vote," Obama said.

"But the American people should know that with or without Congressional action, ISIL will learn the same lessons as terrorists before them. If you doubt America’s commitment — or mine — to see that justice is done, ask Osama bin Laden. Ask the leader of al Qaeda in Yemen, who was taken out last year, or the perpetrator of the Benghazi attacks, who sits in a prison cell," the US president stressed.