(VOVworld) - The US asked Belgium to expand its participation in operations against IS in Syria. Belgian F-16 fighters will begin strikes against terrorist positions in Iraq in July.

Belgium's Foreign Minister Didier Reynders, left, speaks to journalists during a joint press conference with his Lebanese counterpart Gibran Bassil, at the Lebanese foreign ministry in Beirut, Lebanon, on Wednesday. (AP)

The request was stated in a letter from US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter to Belgium’s Defense Minister Steven Vandeput. Belgium’s Foreign Minister Didier Reynders said he supports the expansion of the Belgian air force’s anti-IS mission in Syria.

Reynders said the Belgian government will take the matter to parliament where many MPs want to go further, perhaps even to Libya.