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UAE 'ready to send ground troops to fight Islamic State'

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) says it is ready to send ground troops to Syria as part of an international coalition to fight against the so-called Islamic State group.

UAE Foreign Affairs minister says the country would send ground troops to fight the so-called Islamic State group. Credit: Reuters

Foreign Affairs minister Anwar Gargash told reporters: "Our position throughout has been that a real campaign against Daesh has to include a ground force."

"We are not talking about thousands of troops," he added but said US leadership would be a prerequisite for the UAE.

Last week Saudi Arabia said it was ready to participate in any ground operations in Syria if the US-led coalition decided to take such action.