German Chancellor Angela Merkel delivers a speech in Berlin. (Associated Press)
Chancellor Angela Merkel has told German lawmakers that arming Kurdish fighters battling Islamic extremists in Iraq wasn't an easy decision but is in her country's interest.
The government decided on Sunday to deliver rifles, tank-busting weapons and armoured vehicles to forces fighting the Islamic State group, breaking with Germany's previous reluctance to send weapons into conflicts.
Lawmakers were to hold a nonbinding vote on Monday in a special session of parliament, which was recalled from its summer break.
Merkel said the decision was "very carefully weighed." She said officials faced a choice between "taking no risks, not delivering (weapons) and ultimately accepting the expansion of terror" or supporting those fighting the extremists.
Merkel said: "The immense suffering of many people cries out, and our own security interests are threatened."