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-28794328

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 10 Version 11
Iraq crisis: Philip Hammond says UK would consider arming Kurds Iraq crisis: Philip Hammond says UK would consider arming Kurds
(about 1 hour later)
The UK would "consider favourably" any request for arms from the Kurds in their battle with extremists in Iraq, the foreign secretary has confirmed.The UK would "consider favourably" any request for arms from the Kurds in their battle with extremists in Iraq, the foreign secretary has confirmed.
Philip Hammond described militant group Islamic State (IS), which is fighting the Kurds and has seized large parts of northern Iraq, as a "terrible threat".Philip Hammond described militant group Islamic State (IS), which is fighting the Kurds and has seized large parts of northern Iraq, as a "terrible threat".
Downing Street said no request for UK arms had been received from Kurdish forces.Downing Street said no request for UK arms had been received from Kurdish forces.
The issue is the subject of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.The issue is the subject of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.
But Downing Street said the UK is providing other countries with logistical support to transport supplies to Kurdish forces.
Speaking as he left the meeting, Mr Hammond said a UN Security Council resolution would freeze the assets of IS, and "take steps" against its "financiers and facilitators".Speaking as he left the meeting, Mr Hammond said a UN Security Council resolution would freeze the assets of IS, and "take steps" against its "financiers and facilitators".
France and the US have already supplied arms to the Iraqi Kurds.France and the US have already supplied arms to the Iraqi Kurds.
'Terrible threat''Terrible threat'
Arriving at the meeting in Brussels, Mr Hammond said: "The UK has said we will also consider favourably any requests for supplies of arms.Arriving at the meeting in Brussels, Mr Hammond said: "The UK has said we will also consider favourably any requests for supplies of arms.
"We are already shipping ammunition and supplies from other eastern European countries into Irbil.""We are already shipping ammunition and supplies from other eastern European countries into Irbil."
He described the EU meeting as an "opportunity for member states to get together, to compare notes, to coordinate our activity, and send a very clear signal of our support to the new prime minister designate".He described the EU meeting as an "opportunity for member states to get together, to compare notes, to coordinate our activity, and send a very clear signal of our support to the new prime minister designate".
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki resigned and conceded power to Haider al-Abadi, Iraq's deputy speaker.Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki resigned and conceded power to Haider al-Abadi, Iraq's deputy speaker.
Mr Hammond added that the meeting was a chance to send "a very clear signal that Iraq now needs to have an inclusive government representing all the people of Iraq so that we can get behind it and push back this terrible threat from IS".Mr Hammond added that the meeting was a chance to send "a very clear signal that Iraq now needs to have an inclusive government representing all the people of Iraq so that we can get behind it and push back this terrible threat from IS".
The Iraq crisis was the subject of a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee, chaired by Defence Secretary Michael Fallon. The Iraq crisis was also the subject of a meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee, chaired by Defence Secretary Michael Fallon.
Meanwhile, Downing Street says two planeloads of UK aid are on their way to Erbil, heading for the Dahuk refugee camp. Their cargo includes "essential items such as cooking equipment" which will be distributed by the World Food Programme.
Its statement added: "Latest figures suggest that there are now 450,000 displaced people in the Dahuk governorate, which represents a 50% increase in the area's population.
"A Department for International Development humanitarian adviser is still assessing the area and has now visited the city and nearby refugee camps. In the coming days our efforts will focus on strengthening capacity in the local area to cope with this mass influx."
Earlier, former Liberal Democrat leader Lord Ashdown called for the government to arm the Kurds, saying doing so would enable them to "provide rescue and refuge" to those fleeing from IS.Earlier, former Liberal Democrat leader Lord Ashdown called for the government to arm the Kurds, saying doing so would enable them to "provide rescue and refuge" to those fleeing from IS.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the UK needed to stop moving from from one humanitarian catastrophe to another, but rather "join the dots" and form an overall strategy regarding the Middle East. He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the UK needed to stop moving from assisting at one humanitarian catastrophe after another, and instead "join the dots" to form an overall strategy regarding the Middle East.
"Diplomacy has a greater part to play in this crisis than military effect," he said.
"I think the act of the West should be to seek to counter-balance."
Labour's shadow foreign secretary, Douglas Alexander, said he supported the decision to make UK "military assets" available to the Kurdish forces.Labour's shadow foreign secretary, Douglas Alexander, said he supported the decision to make UK "military assets" available to the Kurdish forces.
EmergencyEmergency
Thousands of refugees have fled from IS, which is reportedly targeting Iraqi Christians and members of the Yazidi religious sect.Thousands of refugees have fled from IS, which is reportedly targeting Iraqi Christians and members of the Yazidi religious sect.
The UN has declared the situation in the country a "level three emergency", its highest level of humanitarian crisis.The UN has declared the situation in the country a "level three emergency", its highest level of humanitarian crisis.
A UN Security Council meeting on Friday is expected to approve a resolution, which has been drafted by the UK and is aimed at putting more pressure on IS.A UN Security Council meeting on Friday is expected to approve a resolution, which has been drafted by the UK and is aimed at putting more pressure on IS.
The resolution threatens sanctions against any country which finances the group, helps recruit foreign fighters, or supplies weapons.The resolution threatens sanctions against any country which finances the group, helps recruit foreign fighters, or supplies weapons.
The UK is already helping transport Soviet-era military supplies from Eastern Europe to the Kurdish forces.The UK is already helping transport Soviet-era military supplies from Eastern Europe to the Kurdish forces.
It is understood a decision on whether to gift or sell weapons to the Kurds will be made if and when a formal request is approved by the UK.It is understood a decision on whether to gift or sell weapons to the Kurds will be made if and when a formal request is approved by the UK.
In previous situations, arms have been either gifted or sold to different countries.In previous situations, arms have been either gifted or sold to different countries.
The RAF has been making aid drops to people fleeing IS, while the US has been carrying out airstrikes against the fighters.The RAF has been making aid drops to people fleeing IS, while the US has been carrying out airstrikes against the fighters.
Since Saturday, the UK has delivered nearly 10,000 reusable water purification containers each containing five litres of clean water as well as shelter kits and solar lamps.Since Saturday, the UK has delivered nearly 10,000 reusable water purification containers each containing five litres of clean water as well as shelter kits and solar lamps.