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Canadian fighter jets to withdraw from fighting IS

Canada's Liberal leader and Prime Minister-designate Justin Trudeau Credit: Reuters

Canadian fighter jets will withdraw from fighting the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria, said Canada's new leader Justin Trudeau said.

Mr Trudeau said he told US President Barack Obama of the decision on Tuesday, but gave no timeline of when they would withdraw.

"About an hour ago I spoke with President Obama," Trudeau told a press conference.

While Canada remains "a strong member of the coalition against ISIL," Trudeau said he made clear to the US leader "the commitments I have made around ending the combat mission."

Canada last year deployed CF-18 fighter jets to the region until March 2016, as well as about 70 special forces troops to train Kurds in northern Iraq. .