Obama team praises France for help in Iraq

President Obama and his staff are thanking France for agreeing to help in Iraq in the fight against the Islamic State.

"We look forward to coordinating with our French partners in the days to come," said White House spokesman Josh Earnest.

French President Francois Hollande announced Thursday that it would provide air support as requested by Iraq.

Hollande also said that France would not go beyond support for airstrikes against Islamic State positions in Iraq -- and would not get involved in military activity against the militant group in Syria.