US trying to speed up efforts to defeat Islamic State: Kerry

Abu Dhabi: Secretary of State John Kerry says the US wants to destroy the Islamic State "rapidly" and is accelerating military, counter-terrorism and diplomatic efforts to defeat the extremists.

Kerry spoke as Brussels was in virtual lockdown over terror threats and before French President Francois Hollande's talks Tuesday with President Barack Obama in Washington. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the Nov. 13 Paris attacks that killed 130 people and wounded hundreds.

Kerry says Obama is asking everyone in his government to offer new ideas to eliminate IS.

Before the Paris attacks, the U.S. Had already decided to send special forces to Syria, and Kerry was involved in efforts to forge a cease-fire between the Syrian government and non-terrorist rebel groups.