He also said negotiations are underway with Ankara and Amman regarding the possible participation of German Tornado aircraft in reconnaissance missions.
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Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel, Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen and Chancellor Angela Merkel speak during the weekly cabinet meeting at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, December 1.
The German cabinet has approved plans to join the military campaign against Islamic State in Syria.
A German Eurofighter Typhoon makes a fly-by during the visit of of German air force chief Lieutenant general Karl Muellner at the Amari Air Base in Harjumaa, Estonia on September 9, 2015.
It additionally cites a UN Security Council resolution passed following the Paris terror attacks on November 13, which was drafted by France and urges UN members to “take all necessary measures” in the fight against Daesh.
The German forces {link: “http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/01/europe/german-cabinet-approves-military-action-against-isis/index.html” target=”_blank”} would provide aerial and satellite reconnaissance, aerial refueling of long-range planes and the naval escort of a French aircraft carrier.
Foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that he does not expect Germany to have 1,200 soldiers participating at any one time.
The inquiry of the future of Assad has been bracketed out of present worldwide discussions on a political solution to the battle in Syria.
Officials rejected any suggestion that Germany might cooperate with troops still loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad, but left open the possibility that the country’s military might become part of an anti-IS coalition.
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No date has been set for the parliamentary vote but approval is considered virtually guaranteed as Merkel’s “grand coalition” government has an overwhelming majority.
