Belgium has joined the US-led coalition to fight the Islamic State group in Iraq and will send six F-16 fighter planes to take part in the operation.

Belgian participation for one month was authorized by the country's Chamber of Representatives Friday afternoon after more than 3½ hours of debate.

Further involvement will be subject to parliamentary evaluation and review.

The Belgian military contingent should number 120, including eight pilots. Defense Minister Pieter De Crem said the F-16 multirole fighters, to be based in Jordan, took off for a night stopover in Greece before the lawmakers voted so they would be ready to go into action as early as Saturday.

In keeping with restrictions laid down by the lawmakers, the Belgian warplanes' role will be limited to missions over Iraq.