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Syria air strikes will help bring settlement, says Cameron Syria air strikes will help bring settlement, says Cameron
(about 1 hour later)
Conducting air strikes against so-called Islamic State in Syria will help to bring a political settlement to the country, David Cameron has insisted.Conducting air strikes against so-called Islamic State in Syria will help to bring a political settlement to the country, David Cameron has insisted.
Mr Cameron also said reaching such an agreement was "absolutely crucial".Mr Cameron also said reaching such an agreement was "absolutely crucial".
The PM's comments come after the RAF began bombing IS in Syria, following MPs voting to allow air strikes to be extended from Iraq into Syria. The prime minister's comments come after the RAF began bombing IS in Syria, following MPs voting to allow air strikes to be extended from Iraq.
Tornados flew a reconnaissance mission in Syria overnight and dropped a bomb in Iraq, the Ministry of Defence said.Tornados flew a reconnaissance mission in Syria overnight and dropped a bomb in Iraq, the Ministry of Defence said.
Air strikes were carried out on six targets of IS, which the government refers to as Daesh, in Syria on Thursday. Air strikes were carried out on six targets of IS, which the government refers to as Daesh and has also been referred to as Isis, in Syria on Thursday.
Two more Tornados and six Typhoons have arrived at RAF Akrotiri, in Cyprus, from where they will join the attacks.Two more Tornados and six Typhoons have arrived at RAF Akrotiri, in Cyprus, from where they will join the attacks.
Speaking during a visit to Bulgaria on Friday, where he met Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, Mr Cameron said: "The strikes actually help to bring about a political settlement because the strikes take the action to Daesh, which is everyone's enemy, and we do need to have a moderate opposition in Syria that can be part of the future government. It comes as Germany's parliament voted to send military support to the US-led coalition fighting IS in Syria.
'Positive step'
Speaking during a visit to Bulgaria on Friday, where he met Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, Mr Cameron said the strikes would help bring about a political settlement in Syria because they "take the action to Daesh".
"We do need to have a moderate opposition in Syria that can be part of the future government," he said.
"So the political process and the action against Daesh to keep us safe at home go hand in hand.""So the political process and the action against Daesh to keep us safe at home go hand in hand."
He said reaching an agreement was "absolutely crucial but we can't wait for that to happen before we start taking action against Daesh". Mr Cameron said reaching an agreement was "absolutely crucial but we can't wait for that to happen before we start taking action against Daesh".
However, Free Syrian Army spokesman Issam al-Reis told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that British air strikes "will not make a big difference".
"It will be just a few more jets flying across Syria and hitting Isis for more than a year," said Mr al-Reis.
"The difference will be on the ground.
"Without boots on the ground it will be difficult to make any change."
He said air strikes were a "positive step" but the strategy of the attacks was important.
Former prime minister Tony Blair welcomed the decision by MPs to authorise UK action against Islamic State (IS) in Syria, in the Kissinger Lecture delivered at the Library of Congress in Washington on Thursday.
He said European forces had to lead the response to the "threat at our door".
Defeating IS was "only a necessary beginning", he said, because "force alone will not prevail" and "the Islamist ideology has also to be confronted".
The former Labour leader outlined a five-point plan, including:
A statement on the MoD website said two Tornado GR-4 jets flew an armed reconnaissance patrol over eastern Syria overnight, "gathering intelligence on terrorist activity".A statement on the MoD website said two Tornado GR-4 jets flew an armed reconnaissance patrol over eastern Syria overnight, "gathering intelligence on terrorist activity".
A second pair of GR-4s patrolled over western Iraq, where they provided air support to Iraqi forces fighting with IS militants in and around Ramadi.A second pair of GR-4s patrolled over western Iraq, where they provided air support to Iraqi forces fighting with IS militants in and around Ramadi.
"A terrorist sniper team opened fire from a compound on Iraqi troops, but was silenced by a direct hit from a Paveway IV guided bomb," the MoD said."A terrorist sniper team opened fire from a compound on Iraqi troops, but was silenced by a direct hit from a Paveway IV guided bomb," the MoD said.
Air strikes were launched shortly after MPs overwhelmingly backed UK military action against IS in Syria, by 397 votes to 223, after a 10-hour Commons debate on Wednesday.Air strikes were launched shortly after MPs overwhelmingly backed UK military action against IS in Syria, by 397 votes to 223, after a 10-hour Commons debate on Wednesday.
During his visit, Mr Cameron visited Bulgaria's border with Turkey with Mr Borissov.During his visit, Mr Cameron visited Bulgaria's border with Turkey with Mr Borissov.
Speaking at the border, he said:Speaking at the border, he said: