Allies meet in Paris to strengthen anti-IS coalition

Countries allied against Islamic State have to capitalise on recent gains made against the extremist organisation, Britain's Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has said.

Mr Fallon said the Islamic State group is being hit “in its own heartland” and that Britain carries out air strikes six days a week, primarily in Iraq.

He was speaking in Paris ahead of a meeting with US defence secretary Ash Carter and counterparts from France, Germany, Australia, the Netherlands and Italy.

The group is mapping out plans for the coming year’s fight against Islamic State.

No Arab country was invited to the meeting, but Mr Carter said he hoped countries from the region would increase their contribution.