Germany 'Will Stand By France' In Fighting IS

Angela Merkel has vowed that Germany will do more to fight Islamic State, as she paid her respects to victims of the Paris terror attacks.

After laying a single white rose at Place de la Republique, the German Chancellor said the extremist group "must be fought with military means".

Germany, which currently provides training and weaponry to Kurdish forces battling IS in Syria, has been asked by Francois Hollande to think of ways it can make a greater contribution to the anti-terror campaign.

However, the French President has expressed understanding for Berlin's reluctance to engage in a military operation in the Middle East.

Mrs Merkel told reporters: "We are stronger than any terrorism. Nevertheless, terrorism must be fought with all possible force – and we want to stand by France's side."

The bilateral talks follow Mr Hollande's meetings with Barack Obama and David Cameron in recent days, as the French leader continues his diplomatic push to drum up international support for tackling IS in Syria.

By the end of the week, Mr Hollande will also have held discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

The German leader's visit to Paris came as the French parliament voted overwhelmingly to extend airstrikes in Syria.

The country's national assembly approved a motion to prolong the operation by 515 votes to four, and 10 members abstained.

French fighter jets first joined the US-led coalition against IS in Iraq last year – and broadened their mission to include IS targets in Syria two months ago.

During debates about the motion, Prime Minister Manuel Valls said France would "fight ruthlessly until it reaches its goal: the destruction of our enemy Daesh (Islamic State)".

Since the Paris attacks, France has moved its flagship Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier into the Mediterranean - ensuring it is better placed to bombard IS positions across Iraq and Syria.

Wednesday's strikes by French planes were mainly concentrated in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul.

Video has emerged which shows the extensive network of underground tunnels being used by IS militants as protection from the allied airstrikes - as footage taken above ground revealed the extent of devastation caused by fierce fighting.

Following his meeting with Mr Hollande on Monday, Mr Cameron said it was his "firm conviction" that Britain should join France in conducting airstrikes in Syria.

MPs in Westminster could be asked to vote on the issue as soon as next week, Sky News understands.

Last week, the UN Security Council said Islamic State "constitutes a global and unprecedented threat to international peace and security" - and unanimously backed France's call to redouble action against the extremist group.