Australia won't be sending ground troops to fight IS, says Bishop

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has said she doesn't envisage Australia sending ground troops to Iraq.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari and Foreign Minister Julie Bishop

Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari smiles at Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop at a press conference in Baghdad on October 18, 2014.

Speaking at a news conference with her Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari in Baghdad, Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said "we've not being asked to and we've not offered" to send ground troops into the country.

Ms Bishop said Australia would only provide assistance "at the invitation of and with the consent of" the Iraqi government.

"We do not envisage sending ground forces. We've not being asked to and we've not offered to. So I do not envisage that that being part of our arrangements with Iraq," she said.

Ibrahim al-Jaafari, Iraq's Foreign Minister reaffirmed Australia has not been requested to send ground troops.

"Neither did they submit to send ground troops nor did we ask for them to send troops in accordance with our previous conditions," he said.

"We consider sending ground forces as a red line as such a step will trigger legitimate fears for us. The ground troops might jeopardise our territories and impinge on our sovereignty and independence."

Ms Bishop arrived in Baghdad on Saturday to show Australia's support for Iraq in combating the Islamic State group.




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