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Islamic State air strikes in Iraq 'would be legal' - No 10 Islamic State air strikes in Iraq 'would be legal' - No 10
(35 minutes later)
The Iraqi government's request for support in its fight with Islamic State means UK air strikes in the country would be legal, Number 10 has said.The Iraqi government's request for support in its fight with Islamic State means UK air strikes in the country would be legal, Number 10 has said.
A summary of the government's position said the call "provides clear and unequivocal legal basis for deployment of UK forces". A summary of the government's position said the call "provides a clear and unequivocal legal basis for deployment of UK forces".
On Friday MPs will debate a motion backing UK air strikes against the militants - who have seized control of parts of Iraq and Syria. On Friday MPs will debate a motion backing strikes against IS militants in Iraq - but not in Syria.
The motion rules out strikes in Syria. Meanwhile some 250 anti-war protesters have gathered outside Downing Street.
It states that a further Commons vote would be necessary if UK involvement was to spread there.
The proposed motion comes after a third night of US-led air strikes which targeted oil refineries in Syria controlled by the militants.The proposed motion comes after a third night of US-led air strikes which targeted oil refineries in Syria controlled by the militants.
Five civilians and 14 IS fighters were killed in the east of the country, according to UK-based activist group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Five civilians and 14 IS - sometimes known as Isil or Isis - fighters were killed in the east of the country, according to UK-based activist group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
'Defend itself'
Number 10 said UK forces could join the bombing of targets in Iraq after the Iraqi minister of foreign affairs wrote to the UN seeking international assistance.Number 10 said UK forces could join the bombing of targets in Iraq after the Iraqi minister of foreign affairs wrote to the UN seeking international assistance.
"International law is clear that the use of force in international relations is prohibited, subject to limited exceptions," a note sent to journalists read."International law is clear that the use of force in international relations is prohibited, subject to limited exceptions," a note sent to journalists read.
"However, international law is equally clear that this prohibition does not apply to the use of military force by one state on the territory of another if the territorial state so requests or consents."However, international law is equally clear that this prohibition does not apply to the use of military force by one state on the territory of another if the territorial state so requests or consents.
"It is clear in this case that Iraq has consented to the use of military force to defend itself against ISIL in Iraq." "It is clear in this case that Iraq has consented to the use of military force to defend itself against Isil in Iraq."
There had been strong support for military action at a meeting of the cabinet earlier, according to David Cameron's spokesman. It states that a further Commons vote would be necessary if UK involvement was to spread to Syria.
The cabinet was briefed by the Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Nicholas Houghton and other security figures. Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said: "We haven't ruled out anything for the future. We'll have to see how the struggle against Isil goes."
The Lib Dems and Labour are expected to back military action in the Commons vote on Friday. He was speaking after cabinet members were briefed by the Chief of the Defence Staff General Sir Nicholas Houghton and other security figures.
There had been strong support for military action at the meeting, according to David Cameron's official spokesman.
The Liberal Democrats and Labour are thought to be prepared to to back military action in the Commons vote on Friday.
Mr Hammond said: "We are expecting that the House of Commons will support the government's position."
But Madeleine Moon, a Labour member of the Defence Select Committee said there were "far too many" unanswered questions.
"Once we get in there, once we start... what are we going to commit ourselves to? Does it just stop with air strikes?" she told Radio 4's PM programme.
"I get no sense of any thought as to a strategic plan and mission, with an exit strategy. All I get is, 'Right, we're going to bomb'."