The UN Security Council has warned of “the changing nature and character” of international terrorism, with terror groups forging close ties with organized crime and using the Internet to incite and recruit sympathizers, and to prepare their attacks.

The council also expressed concern at the increase in some parts of the world of “incidents of kidnapping and hostage-taking by terrorist groups with the aim of raising funds or gaining political concessions.”

Addressing the Security Council meeting on Friday, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged the international community to “work as one” against the threat of terrorism and called on member states to make full use of the UN’s Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force.

The UN chief stressed the serious potential of increased terror attacks and activity in the Middle East and in the restive tribal areas between Afghanistan and Pakistan.