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France to offer Iraq air support Islamic State: France to offer Iraq air support
(34 minutes later)
France's President Hollande says he's ready to offer air support for Iraqi forces fighting Islamic State France's president says he has agreed to the Iraqi government's request for air support for forces fighting the jihadist group, Islamic State (IS).
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. Francois Hollande told reporters that French air strikes would only target the jihadist group's positions in Iraq, and not neighbouring Syria.
If you want to receive Breaking News alerts via email, or on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App then details on how to do so are available on this help page. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on Twitter to get the latest alerts. He also insisted that he would not be sending ground troops.
France is already carrying out reconnaissance flights over Iraq and providing weapons to Kurdish fighters.
US fighter jets and drones have undertaken more than 170 air strikes on IS in Iraq since mid-August in an effort to protect US personnel and displaced Iraqis, and secure key infrastructure.
The air campaign has enabled Iraqi and Kurdish forces to retake the important Mosul Dam, along with several small towns.
However, the jihadists remain in control of dozens of cities and towns in Iraq and Syria, where they have announced the creation of a caliphate.