Kerry says he is encouraged by pledges of military assistance against IS
US Secretary of State John Kerry says he is "extremely encouraged" by promises of military assistance to tackle the extremist group. But he did not name the countries offering such assistance after his swing round Middle East capitals to drum up support for the US-coalition to fight IS. US officials also reported that several Arab countries had offered to take part in air strikes against Islamic State fighters in Iraq.
Kerry is in Paris for an international conference on Monday on ways to tackle IS and bolster Iraq security.