Obama calls for broad expansion of US military role in fight against IS

In a high-stakes address to the nation, President Barack Obama outlined a broad expansion of the US military role in combating extremists in Iraq and Syria, including a call for arming Syrian opposition forces and potentially launching air strikes in both countries.

Obama has told congressional lawmakers that he has the authority to proceed with much of his plan without their formal approval.

However, he is seeking authorisation from Congress for the train-and-equip operation for Syrian rebels, a request he first made earlier this summer.