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Commons committee may lift objections to UK airstrikes in Syria Commons committee may lift objections to UK airstrikes in Syria
(35 minutes later)
David Cameron has received an indication of support over possible UK airstrikes against Isis in Syria from the chair of a committee of MPs that had been a key obstacle to such action. In a potential breakthrough for David Cameron’s quest for Britain to join the air campaign against Isis in Syria, the prime minister has received an indication of support from the chair of a committee of MPs that had been a key obstacle to such action.
Crispin Blunt, the Conservative chair of the foreign affairs select committee, said preconditions set by it to support the strikes appeared to have largely been met.Crispin Blunt, the Conservative chair of the foreign affairs select committee, said preconditions set by it to support the strikes appeared to have largely been met.
Related: Jeremy Corbyn urged to give Labour MPs free vote on Syria airstrikesRelated: Jeremy Corbyn urged to give Labour MPs free vote on Syria airstrikes
He told the Guardian “the circumstances have completely changed” since a month ago, , when the committee’s Tory majority opposed airstrikes and said no coherent international strategy for defeating Isis or ending the Syrian civil war had been made.He told the Guardian “the circumstances have completely changed” since a month ago, , when the committee’s Tory majority opposed airstrikes and said no coherent international strategy for defeating Isis or ending the Syrian civil war had been made.
Blunt cited the Paris terrorist attacks, diplomatic progress in Vienna and greater western flexibility on the medium-term future of the Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.Blunt cited the Paris terrorist attacks, diplomatic progress in Vienna and greater western flexibility on the medium-term future of the Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.
Cameron has been holding back from seeking Commons support for airstrikes to be extended from Iraq to Syria, fearing that he might lose a vote as he did in 2013.Cameron has been holding back from seeking Commons support for airstrikes to be extended from Iraq to Syria, fearing that he might lose a vote as he did in 2013.
This week the prime minister said he would reply to Blunt’s committee within the next two weeks in an effort to reassure MPs that airstrikes are part of a comprehensive diplomatic, political and military plan to defeat Isis.This week the prime minister said he would reply to Blunt’s committee within the next two weeks in an effort to reassure MPs that airstrikes are part of a comprehensive diplomatic, political and military plan to defeat Isis.
Blunt said: “A large amount has happened – indeed we are facing a completely different set of circumstances – since we wrote our report, and in large part that has answered the questions that the committee had rightly asked.Blunt said: “A large amount has happened – indeed we are facing a completely different set of circumstances – since we wrote our report, and in large part that has answered the questions that the committee had rightly asked.
“Probably the most important question we asked is what ground forces are going to take over the ground currently occupied in Syria by Isis. Ideally the answer to that is Syrians, and there is now a real prospect, as a result of the Vienna talks, of a political transition accompanied by a ceasefire, with supporters of President Assad and the Free Syrian Army working together. They would be backed by air support, intelligence and all the military support you would need to drive out Isis.”“Probably the most important question we asked is what ground forces are going to take over the ground currently occupied in Syria by Isis. Ideally the answer to that is Syrians, and there is now a real prospect, as a result of the Vienna talks, of a political transition accompanied by a ceasefire, with supporters of President Assad and the Free Syrian Army working together. They would be backed by air support, intelligence and all the military support you would need to drive out Isis.”
He added: “Clearly the Russian position has changed and equally there has been a change in the position of the west in that it now seems to be willing to tolerate Assad staying during a political transition leading to elections in 18 months. You tell me if there is a serious prospect that Assad would survive in such elections if they are properly overseen by the United Nations and in which millions of Syrians currently forced out of the country are allowed to take part.He added: “Clearly the Russian position has changed and equally there has been a change in the position of the west in that it now seems to be willing to tolerate Assad staying during a political transition leading to elections in 18 months. You tell me if there is a serious prospect that Assad would survive in such elections if they are properly overseen by the United Nations and in which millions of Syrians currently forced out of the country are allowed to take part.
“It is a very fluid position but it also looks as if there will be a United Nations security council representation so issues of legality are also addressed.”“It is a very fluid position but it also looks as if there will be a United Nations security council representation so issues of legality are also addressed.”
Blunt said his 11-strong committee, split into three groups, was travelling to nine Middle East regional capitals including Baghdad, Irbil, Tehran, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Amman to gauge the mood and the prospect that a political settlement can be reached. Iran has been a strong supporter of Assad, and its willingness to see the Syrian leader removed from office even at the end of a political process is critical.Blunt said his 11-strong committee, split into three groups, was travelling to nine Middle East regional capitals including Baghdad, Irbil, Tehran, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Amman to gauge the mood and the prospect that a political settlement can be reached. Iran has been a strong supporter of Assad, and its willingness to see the Syrian leader removed from office even at the end of a political process is critical.
He added: “In truth the importance of UK airstrikes and the UK’s eight additional planes is more political than military. It is in honesty a micro military issue, There is no great military necessity for the UK to be involved since planes are queuing up from a wide range of countries over the skies of Syria. There is not a shortage of assets in northern Syria but a shortage of targets. But there may be a political requirement to be involved.”He added: “In truth the importance of UK airstrikes and the UK’s eight additional planes is more political than military. It is in honesty a micro military issue, There is no great military necessity for the UK to be involved since planes are queuing up from a wide range of countries over the skies of Syria. There is not a shortage of assets in northern Syria but a shortage of targets. But there may be a political requirement to be involved.”
A lifting of objections to airstrikes by figures on the foreign affairs committee would not only mean key Conservative sceptics on Tory backbenches had been persuaded, but would also provide political cover for Labour MPs to vote for airstrikes, if necessary defying their leader, Jeremy Corbyn, if he tries to impose a three-line whip opposing strikes.A lifting of objections to airstrikes by figures on the foreign affairs committee would not only mean key Conservative sceptics on Tory backbenches had been persuaded, but would also provide political cover for Labour MPs to vote for airstrikes, if necessary defying their leader, Jeremy Corbyn, if he tries to impose a three-line whip opposing strikes.
There are conflicting reports on Corbyn’s stance, but many of his closest allies in the shadow cabinet have said it should be a matter of conscience.There are conflicting reports on Corbyn’s stance, but many of his closest allies in the shadow cabinet have said it should be a matter of conscience.
In its initial report, the foreign affairs committee questioned how UK airstrikes would improve the chances of success of the international coalition’s campaign against Isis, contribute to the formation of a transition plan for Syria, conform with international law, find support with key regional players and help generate ground forces to take hold and administer territories captured from Isis.In its initial report, the foreign affairs committee questioned how UK airstrikes would improve the chances of success of the international coalition’s campaign against Isis, contribute to the formation of a transition plan for Syria, conform with international law, find support with key regional players and help generate ground forces to take hold and administer territories captured from Isis.