World Bulletin / News Desk

Sweden has refused to send its Jas Gripen fighter aircraft to help France fight against ISIL in the Middle East.

"The main reasons are that so far this is a legal grey area. That could change if there's a very clear UN mandate. But so far it hasn't been established by international law," Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom told reporters Wednesday.

Swedish government has offered sending transport aircraft instead, Wallstrom said. 

She said that France's request to use Swedish arm supplies would be evaluated next year to see if it met Swedish weapons export legislation.

Anna Kinberg Batra, leader of the opposition Moderate Party in the center-right alliance, said Wednesday: "I am disappointed at the government's sluggishness and we would have been able to provide a military component."

Last month, Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said his country backed a plea for help from France, following the deadly attacks in Paris on Nov.13.