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Cameron and Putin to discuss Syria conflict at No 10 Cameron and Putin to discuss Syria conflict at No 10
(about 1 hour later)
The UK prime minister is to hold talks about Syria with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the G8 summit.The UK prime minister is to hold talks about Syria with Russian President Vladimir Putin ahead of the G8 summit.
David Cameron told MPs at Prime Minister's Questions he would be meeting Mr Putin in No 10 on Sunday.David Cameron told MPs at Prime Minister's Questions he would be meeting Mr Putin in No 10 on Sunday.
"We all want... a peace conference, a peace process and a move towards a transitional government," he said."We all want... a peace conference, a peace process and a move towards a transitional government," he said.
Labour leader Ed Miliband asked for an assurance there would be a vote before arms were given to rebels. Mr Cameron said the Commons would "have a say".Labour leader Ed Miliband asked for an assurance there would be a vote before arms were given to rebels. Mr Cameron said the Commons would "have a say".
The UK and France have led calls for more support for the official opposition in Syria, but MPs from all parties have warned of the dangers of escalating a conflict that has already claimed the lives of 80,000, and of strengthening extremist elements.The UK and France have led calls for more support for the official opposition in Syria, but MPs from all parties have warned of the dangers of escalating a conflict that has already claimed the lives of 80,000, and of strengthening extremist elements.
Russia, is an ally of, and has sold arms to President Bashar al-Assad's Syrian government, and said last week it was "disappointed" by the EU ending its embargo on arms sales to the opposition.Russia, is an ally of, and has sold arms to President Bashar al-Assad's Syrian government, and said last week it was "disappointed" by the EU ending its embargo on arms sales to the opposition.
Mr Cameron and Mr Putin held talks last month in the Black Sea resort of Sochi in Russia. Mr Cameron said at the time that although the two men disagreed on strategy, they agreed on the need to end the violence, prevent the growth of extremism and stop Syria "fragmenting".Mr Cameron and Mr Putin held talks last month in the Black Sea resort of Sochi in Russia. Mr Cameron said at the time that although the two men disagreed on strategy, they agreed on the need to end the violence, prevent the growth of extremism and stop Syria "fragmenting".
Mr Putin said the two had a "common interest" in stabilising the country.Mr Putin said the two had a "common interest" in stabilising the country.
'Clear message'
Speaking in the Commons, the prime minister said the UK and Russia's differences over the crisis were well known and Sunday's meeting was intended to "crank up the pressure" on all sides in the conflict.
He defended the UK's policy on Syria and the government's decision to push for the lifting of the EU's embargo.
"The point about lifting the arms embargo is to send a very clear message about our intentions and about our views to President Assad," he said.
"But we have not made a decision to supply the Syrian opposition with weapons. As I said, we are giving them assistance, we are giving them advice and we are giving them technical help.
"We have systems in place to make sure that sort of non-lethal equipment, like transport and things like that, doesn't get in to the wrong hands. Of course we do."
In response, Mr Miliband said the prime minister had put more energy into negotiations over the embargo than potential peace talks, due to take place in Geneva but for which no date has yet been agreed.
He also pressed Mr Cameron on what safeguards would be in place in the event of arms sales to the opposition.
Meanwhile, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague is in Washington on Wednesday for talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry to discuss the West's response to the continued bloodshed, including whether to begin supplying the rebels with weapons.Meanwhile, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague is in Washington on Wednesday for talks with US Secretary of State John Kerry to discuss the West's response to the continued bloodshed, including whether to begin supplying the rebels with weapons.
More than 80,000 people have been killed and 1.6 million have fled to neighbouring countries since the uprising against President Assad began in March 2011, according to the UN.More than 80,000 people have been killed and 1.6 million have fled to neighbouring countries since the uprising against President Assad began in March 2011, according to the UN.