Barack Obama says he has authority to act against IS militants

Washington, Sept 10: US President

told top lawmakers on Tuesday that he has the authority if he needs to take action against Islamic State (IS)

.

Obama, US Vice President Joe Biden and Congressional leaders had a "productive" discussion and the leaders expressed their support for efforts to degrade and ultimately destroy IS, the White House said in a statement.

The IS is an Al Qaeda splinter group also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The meeting came ahead of a speech Wednesday evening in which Obama will lay out his plan to fight the extremist group.

Obama told the Leaders that he would welcome action by Congress that would "aid the overall effort" and demonstrate to the world that the US is united in defeating the threat from IS, said the statement.

IANS