This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-22316517

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Cameron fears Iraq effect holding West back in Syria Cameron fears Iraq effect holding West back in Syria
(about 2 hours later)
UK PM David Cameron has expressed concern that international action in Syria may be being held back because of fears of a repeat of the Iraq war.UK PM David Cameron has expressed concern that international action in Syria may be being held back because of fears of a repeat of the Iraq war.
It follows evidence from the US and the UK that Syrian government troops have used chemical weapons. It follows evidence from the US and the UK that Syrian government troops may have used chemical weapons.
The prime minister told the BBC he worried Western leaders might fail to act in Syria because of the experience of foreign intervention in Iraq. US President Barack Obama has pledged a "vigorous investigation" after US intelligence found Syria may had used the nerve agent sarin.
But he insisted lessons about acting on intelligence reports had been learned. He said proof the weapons had been used on civilians would be "a game changer".
On Thursday, the White House said that US intelligence agencies believed "with varying degrees of confidence" that Syria had used the nerve agent sarin on a "small scale". Mr Obama had said previously that chemical weapons use would cross a "red line" and provoke a major American response.
The UK government has also said it has "limited, but growing" evidence of the use of chemical weapons in the conflict.The UK government has also said it has "limited, but growing" evidence of the use of chemical weapons in the conflict.
Syrian officials have denounced the allegations as "lies".Syrian officials have denounced the allegations as "lies".
'Proper processes''Proper processes'
Mr Cameron told the BBC he worried Western leaders might fail to act in Syria because of the experience of foreign intervention in Iraq.
But he insisted lessons about acting on intelligence reports had been learned.
Speaking to the BBC's political editor Nick Robinson, Mr Cameron said: "I choose my words carefully, but what I see does look very much like a war crime is being committed in our world, at this time, by the Syrian government."Speaking to the BBC's political editor Nick Robinson, Mr Cameron said: "I choose my words carefully, but what I see does look very much like a war crime is being committed in our world, at this time, by the Syrian government."
The prime minister then addressed concerns about the quality of the UK's intelligence and fears that unreliable evidence could again be used as a justification for the West to become involved in a Middle Eastern conflict.The prime minister then addressed concerns about the quality of the UK's intelligence and fears that unreliable evidence could again be used as a justification for the West to become involved in a Middle Eastern conflict.
He said: "I would want to reassure people and say the lessons of Iraq have been learned.He said: "I would want to reassure people and say the lessons of Iraq have been learned.
"There are proper processes in place to try and make sure that what people say is properly backed up by the information."There are proper processes in place to try and make sure that what people say is properly backed up by the information.
"If anything, I would argue that because people are so worried about what happened in Iraq, it's actually quite important now to come forward - as the Americans have done and I think [US President] Barack Obama has done it in a very clear and measured way.""If anything, I would argue that because people are so worried about what happened in Iraq, it's actually quite important now to come forward - as the Americans have done and I think [US President] Barack Obama has done it in a very clear and measured way."
Mr Obama warned in December that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would face "consequences" if he used chemical weapons.Mr Obama warned in December that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would face "consequences" if he used chemical weapons.
Mr Cameron has said he agrees with the White House's warning that chemical weapons use would be a "red line", although he has ruled out sending British troops into action and has spoken instead of support for rebel forces.Mr Cameron has said he agrees with the White House's warning that chemical weapons use would be a "red line", although he has ruled out sending British troops into action and has spoken instead of support for rebel forces.
LibyaLibya
Asked directly if he was concerned the invasion of Iraq in 2003, which toppled Saddam Hussein, was having an impact on the way in which Western leaders were dealing with the conflict in Syria, Mr Cameron said: "I do worry about that."Asked directly if he was concerned the invasion of Iraq in 2003, which toppled Saddam Hussein, was having an impact on the way in which Western leaders were dealing with the conflict in Syria, Mr Cameron said: "I do worry about that."
"Let me absolutely clear, I think the Iraq lesson must be about how we marshal and use information and intelligence and I think that lesson has been learnt but I think it is very important for politicians and leaders of this generation to look at what is happening in Syria and ask ourselves what more we can do.""Let me absolutely clear, I think the Iraq lesson must be about how we marshal and use information and intelligence and I think that lesson has been learnt but I think it is very important for politicians and leaders of this generation to look at what is happening in Syria and ask ourselves what more we can do."
He said that before any action was taken in Syria it was necessary to ensure you could "achieve the result you want".He said that before any action was taken in Syria it was necessary to ensure you could "achieve the result you want".
"The reason we could act in Libya was because we had an opportunity, if we acted quickly, to stop a dictator in his tracks. We could do that. It is very important that the ability is there and we have to think about that carefully.""The reason we could act in Libya was because we had an opportunity, if we acted quickly, to stop a dictator in his tracks. We could do that. It is very important that the ability is there and we have to think about that carefully."
On Friday, the White House insisted there was no timeline on how long it would take to corroborate the evidence on the use of chemical weapons and admitted that the case was "not airtight".On Friday, the White House insisted there was no timeline on how long it would take to corroborate the evidence on the use of chemical weapons and admitted that the case was "not airtight".
But spokesman Jay Carney repeated that all options remained on the table.But spokesman Jay Carney repeated that all options remained on the table.
Earlier on Friday, Syrian official Sharif Shehadeh told the Associated Press the US allegations of chemical weapons use were "lies".Earlier on Friday, Syrian official Sharif Shehadeh told the Associated Press the US allegations of chemical weapons use were "lies".
Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad also dismissed the accusations in an interview with Reuters.Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad also dismissed the accusations in an interview with Reuters.
Syria's government and rebels have accused each other of using chemical weapons. A UN team is trying to enter Syria to investigate.Syria's government and rebels have accused each other of using chemical weapons. A UN team is trying to enter Syria to investigate.
Meanwhile, opposition activists and Syrian state media reported fierce fighting between government troops and rebels in a number of suburbs of the capital, Damascus.Meanwhile, opposition activists and Syrian state media reported fierce fighting between government troops and rebels in a number of suburbs of the capital, Damascus.
Activists reported clashes in the Barzeh district of northern Damascus, saying that the army and pro-government militiamen had pushed into the area backed by tank fire.Activists reported clashes in the Barzeh district of northern Damascus, saying that the army and pro-government militiamen had pushed into the area backed by tank fire.
The state-run Sana news agency said troops had killed a number of rebels in fighting in the Jobar and Zamalka districts of the capital.The state-run Sana news agency said troops had killed a number of rebels in fighting in the Jobar and Zamalka districts of the capital.
According to the UN, at least 70,000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict.According to the UN, at least 70,000 people have been killed in the Syrian conflict.