Australia considers expanding air force against IS following U.S. request

The Australian government said on Friday it is weighing up whether to expand its role fighting the Islamic State (IS), following renewed requests from the United States.

Local media reported that officials from the United States sent the request for more assistance in the Middle East to the Australian Embassy in Washington, D.C. on Thursday.

Australia's F/A-18 bomber aircraft have been conducting missions in war-torn Iraq since September last year, but the U.S. request is said to involve targets in Syria.

On Friday, prominent government ministers said a briefing to weigh up Australia's options has been scheduled for next week.

Christopher Pyne, who manages government business in his role as Leader of the House, told the Nine Network that no decision would be made without consultation with the opposition.

"I don't believe any decision has been made by the Government and obviously we would be briefing the Opposition," Pyne said.

"I understand a briefing has been organised for early next week about any developments that might occur there."

Meanwhile Treasurer Joe Hockey hinted at expanding Australia's aerial role in the Middle East.

Hockey, a member of Australia's national security committee, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that the government has to do "whatever we can" to liberate the war-ravaged areas.

"Our enemies see no borders over in the Middle East. ISIL sees no borders, and we have an obligation to do whatever we can to stop the evil that they are perpetrating," Hockey said.

Last week, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he had been in discussion with other cabinet MPs about ramping up the number of air strikes in the area, on the back of recommendations from the chairman of federal parliament's intelligence and security committee.

The government is yet to formally respond to the United States; however, Pyne said the request would not go ignored. Endi