“What matters most of all is that any action we would take would both be legal and would help protect our country and our people right here,” Cameron told lawmakers.
Britain has been carrying out airstrikes against Islamic State jihadist group targets in Iraq since August 2014, but the UK Parliament rejected extending the campaign to Syria in a 2013 vote.
Opposition members, including Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, have criticized Cameron’s administration for conducting its anti-ISIL operation in Iraq without UN approval. Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond suggested two weeks ago that a Parliament vote to send British jets to Syria would take place as soon as enough Labour members supported British airstrikes.
Chief of the Defense Staff General Sir Nicholas Houghton described the lack of British warplanes over Syria as a let-down to US-led coalition partners and their Western allies.
On Monday, Cameron said the UK Royal Air Force would not engage in Syria until a cohesive strategy is devised to address the wider political and humanitarian crisis in Syria.
(Sputnik)
18/11/15
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The backing of the United Nations Security Council would be preferable for any British military action against Islamic State militants in Syria but is not vital, British Prime Minister David Cameron said on Wednesday....
ReplyDeleteBritain is involved in air strikes against ISIS militants in Iraq and Cameron has said he will present a plan to parliament including extending air strikes to Syria.
"Russia has different aims to us and they have repeatedly threatened to veto any such resolution," he told parliament when asked if he would wait for a UN resolution before taking action.
"Of course it is always preferable in these circumstances to have the full backing of the United Nations Security Council but I have to say what matters most of all is that any action we would take would both be legal and would help protect our country."
jpost.com by Reuters