Iraq crisis: France to deliver arms to Iraqi Kurds

France will supply arms to Iraq's Kurds "in the coming hours," French President Francois Hollande has announced, the BBC reported.

France has received approval from authorities in Baghdad for the decision, French media reports say.

Kurdish forces have been fighting militants from the Islamic State (IS) group. The conflict has displaced thousands of people.

The US has also reportedly begun supplying weapons to the Kurdish forces, known as the Peshmerga.

A statement from Mr Hollande's office said the move was "in response to the urgent need expressed by the regional authorities in Kurdistan."

"For several days, France has had the necessary measures in place to support the operational capabilities of the forces fighting IS," the statement said.

"The catastrophic situation faced by the population of Iraqi Kurdistan means the international community must step up its mobilisation," it went on.