Germany's Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said Friday that the international campaign against terrorism including the Islamic State organisation must not become a general war against Muslims and Islam.

"We should be careful that this fight (against terror) does not become a front against Islam and Muslims. Otherwise we run the risk of digging ourselves into a deeper grave in which violence and terror only grow further. Rather, it is right to seek partnership with like-minded Muslim and Arab nations," she said.