France, Britain raise stakes on Islamic State in Syria

PARIS: France said Monday it had begun preparations for air strikes on the Islamic State (IS) in Syria, and Britain said it too was weighing the case for hitting at jihadists in the war-torn country, from which tens of thousands of people have fled to Europe.

British Prime Minister David Cameron emphasised the risk of terror attacks in saying he believed there was "a strong case" for Britain taking part in airstrikes in Syria.