DHAKA: Republican presidential candidates are sparring over national security issues and how best to counter the so-called Islamic State (IS) in the first debate since attacks in California and Paris.

A major fault line has formed between those favouring more surveillance and those concerned about civil liberties, reports the bbc.com

Front-runner Donald Trump has been on the defensive, with Jeb Bush calling him a "chaos candidate".

Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz have also clashed on federal surveillance.

Trump's proposed ban on Muslims entering the US put Trump on the defensive in the early minutes of the debate.

"We are not talking about isolation, we're talking about security," Trump said. "We are not talking about religion, we are talking about security."

The conversation quickly broadened to broader issues of foreign policy and national security.

Going into the debate expectations were high for a showdown between Trump and Cruz, whose campaign has been gaining momentum in recent weeks.

However, Cruz and Rubio's debate over surveillance and civil liberties has been the most heated thus far.

BDST: 0851 HRS, DEC 14, 2015
RS