Saudi Arabia offers greater role in air war on IS: US

Saudi Arabia has decided to increase its military contributions to the campaign against Islamic State, including offering to expand its role in the air campaign, US Defense Secretary Ash Carter's spokesman said on Thursday after bilateral talks.

Carter met Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is also the country's defence minister, at a gathering of coalition defence ministers at Nato headquarters in Brussels.

"The secretary thanked the deputy crown prince for participating in today's meeting of coalition defence ministers, and for Saudi Arabia's decision to increase its military contributions, especially the Kingdom's offer to expand its role in the air campaign," Pentagon spokesman Peter Cook said in a statement.