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US Congress urged not to limit ISIL war

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US Secretary of State John Kerry has urged Congress to give more authorities to the military in the fight against the ISIL terrorist group.

Addressing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday, Kerry said military action in Iraq and Syria should not be limited and President Barack Obama should have the authority to deploy combat troops.

The top US diplomat said that President Obama has been clear that his policy was that US military forces would not be deployed to conduct ground combat operations against ISIL.

“It doesn’t mean that we should preemptively bind the hands of the commander in chief or our commanders in the field in responding to scenarios and contingencies that are impossible to foresee,” he said.

The White House says it has the authority to carry out operations against ISIL.

However, the committee will vote on whether to limit the Pentagon’s engagement in the operations this week.

Kerry also argued that any congressional resolution should not impose geographic limitations because ISIL might try to attack US forces outside of Iraq and Syria.

Republican Senator Rand Paul rejected any authorization without geographic restrictions.

‘‘That is a very scary and very wrong-headed message to be sending to the Middle East,’’ Paul said. ‘‘You are sending a message to the Middle East that no city is off limits.’’

Republican Senator John McCain also said the authorization was not expected to become law before the new Congress starts in January.

The Arizona senator said a draft authorization should be presented to Congress in January.

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