Belgian troops requested in Iraq

Belgium has received a request to send ground troops to Iraq as well as instructors to train Iraqi soldiers, said Defence Minister Steven Vandeput. He added that the Belgian F-16 mission against the Islamic State in Iraq could be extended beyond the original deadline of December 31.

"We're (the F-16 fighter jets) still in the first of four phases of the coalition’s plan. We will evaluate the situation day by day, but I think we can expect to see an extension of the mission," Vandeput declared on Friday during a visit to Jordan, where the Belgian F-16s are based.

On September 24, the Belgian government under Elio Di Rupo decided to send fighter planes in the framework of the international coalition against the Islamic State. The new government under Charles Michel on October 23 extended the mission until at least the end of this year.

The defence minister confirmed that Belgium has been requested to send instructors to train Iraqi forces, as well as additional ground troops. "But first we need to thoroughly investigate whether Belgium can make an effective contribution," said Vandeput.