DHAKA: Australia Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has told parliament that his country won't be sending troops to fight Islamic State.

It would be 'unreasonable and unwise', as well as in violation of Australia's agreement with Iraq, to send in ground forces, he said.

'That is not the policy of the United States government or any of the coalition partners and it is unrealistic for Australia to embark on any military operations in that region other than in partnership with our allies,' he said on Monday

His remarks contrasted with former prime minister Tony Abbott's description of IS as a "death cult".

Abbott, now serving as a backbench MP, called for Australia to commit combat troops to the Middle East after the Paris attacks.

Australia is part of a US-led coalition bombing the group in Iraq and Syria.

Turnbull told Australia's House of Representatives that IS relied on its propaganda network and "we must not be fooled by its hype".

But the group must be defeated militarily in Iraq and Syria, where it has overrun vast swathes of territory, he said.

"Its ideology is archaic, but its use of the internet is very modern. ISIL has many more smartphones than guns, more Twitter accounts than fighters.

"It does not command broad-based legitimacy even in those areas under its direct control. It is encircled by hostile forces. It is under military pressure."

Turnbull made the comments as part of national security statement to Australia's parliament.

Source: skynews.com.au, bbc.com

BDST: 1816 HRS, NOV 23, 2015
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