German Cabinet approves military deployment against IS

The German Cabinet has approved plans to provide military support in the fight against so-called Islamic State (IS) in Syria.

Germany's parliament is expected to vote on the deployment of Tornado reconnaissance jets, a frigate and up to 1,200 troops as early as Wednesday.

The move is a response to a call from France to help in the fight against IS after the terror attacks in Paris two weeks ago that left 130 people dead.

German forces will not engage in combat if the mission is approved by MPs, nor will they co-operate with Syrian troops loyal to the country's President Bashar al-Assad , said Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen.

"The top line is: there will be no cooperation with Assad and no cooperation with troops under his command," von der Leyen told ARD television ahead of the Cabinet meeting.