France strikes IS positions in Syria as diplomacy drive continues in Lebanon

French Army Rafale fighter jets are seen in flight during an operation against Syria, in this handout photo distributed by the French Defense Audiovisial Communication and Production Unit (ECPAD) and realeased September 27, 2015. France said on Sunday it launched its first air strikes in Syria, destroying an Islamic State training camp in the east of the country to prevent the group from carrying out attacks against French interests and to protect Syrian civilians. The French Presisent said from New York that six fighter jets had destroyed their targets near Deir ez-Zor and that more operations could take place in coming weeks to protect France and Syrian civilians. REUTERS/ECPAD/

In a significant escalation of military engagement, France has launched airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria as diplomatic efforts to strengthen stability in Lebanon are ongoing and a fragile ceasefire with Israel continues to hold.

Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu has confirmed that French aircraft have bombed Islamic State positions in Syria, in its first such strike on the country's soil since the fall of Bashar al-Assad.