German cabinet votes to fight IS in Syria

The German cabinet has backed plans to join the military campaign against IS in Syria; the lower house is to hold a vote on it.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet has agreed on plans to join the military campaign against Islamic State in Syria, a government official said.

Under the plans, Germany will deploy Tornado reconnaissance jets, refuelling aircraft, a frigate and up to 1200 military personnel to the region.

The Bundestag lower house of parliament will hold a vote on Wednesday.

Merkel's cabinet is made up of her own conservatives and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), with whom she shares power.