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New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have met with U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson to discuss ways to secure the region from what they described as a mounting terror threat fueled by Islamic State extremists.

The governors emerged from the meeting in midtown Manhattan on Monday saying they would develop a coordinated security plan covering both states.

The session came a week after President Barack Obama told the country he is authorizing stepped-up airstrikes in Iraq and Syria against Islamic State militants.

Authorities have been trying to identify citizens from the United States and Europe who have joined the fight. They fear that the recruits could be used for attacks on Western targets.

(AP)