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U.S. asks Norway to strengthen fight against IS

Xinhua, December 8, 2015 Adjust font size:

The United States has made a formal request to Norway to contribute more militarily against the radical group Islamic States (IS) in addition to the military training the Nordic country is providing in Iraq currently, local media reported on Monday.

The formal request from the United States was made on Dec. 3 and Norway's Defense Ministry is treating the request in the usual manner, newspaper Aftenposten reported on its website.

The United States also requested that Norway, which is one of over 60 countries contributing to the U.S.-led coalition against IS, including training Kurdish fighters and the Iraqi army in Iraq, should contribute in Syria as well, according to the report.

"I can confirm ... Norway has received a request from the United States for additional military contribution to the fight against ISIL (another acronym for IS) in addition to the military contribution we provide today. This requires careful consideration," Eskil Sivertsen, a spokesperson for the Defense Ministry, was quoted as saying.

According to Aftenposten, normal procedures mean the Defence Ministry would ask the military to come up with a professional advice on what Norway can optionally contribute and then take the matter further politically. Parliament will also be involved.

Ruling Conservative Party's parliamentary leader Trond Helleland, who sits in the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, told news agency NTB that he expected that parliament would be consulted in such an important issue. Endit