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Cameron: UK has 'duty' to take part in air strikes against IS Cameron: UK must confront IS threat to Britain
(about 1 hour later)
David Cameron has said Islamic State (IS) poses a "clear and proven" threat to British lives as he makes the case for the UK to join US-led air strikes on militants in Iraq. Islamic State (IS) is a threat to the "streets of Britain" and the UK has a "duty" to confront it militarily, David Cameron has told Parliament.
He told Parliament IS was a "brutal", well-funded "terrorist organisation" that had de-stabilised two countries. The prime minister told MPs it was in the UK's national interest to join the fight against IS, which he warned would "take years not months".
The international fight against IS and its philosophy would "not just take months but years", he conceded. Joining air strikes against IS in Iraq would be "clearly lawful", he insisted.
Parliament is due to vote on UK involvement at about 17.30 BST. Parliament is due to vote on UK involvement in US-led attacks on IS positions in Iraq at about 1700 BST.
The Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Labour all back the action, which has been requested by the Iraqi government, with Ed Miliband insisting IS "cannot and should not be negotiated with".
In other developments:
IS has seized large parts of Iraq and Syria in recent months. The group, also known as Isis or Isil, has used tactics that have included beheadings of soldiers, Western journalists and aid workers.IS has seized large parts of Iraq and Syria in recent months. The group, also known as Isis or Isil, has used tactics that have included beheadings of soldiers, Western journalists and aid workers.
It could have as many as 31,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria, according to the CIA. Making the case for British action, Mr Cameron said the killing of a British hostage illustrated that the challenge was not "on the far side of the world" and the "brutal, terrorist organisation" was a "clear and proven" threat to UK lives.
'Not a fantasy'
The Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and Labour all back UK military participation in bombings against IS in Iraq, which the coalition says is legal because it was requested by the Iraqi government.
Parliament which has been recalled to discuss military action in Iraq.
Opening a seven hour Commons debate, Mr Cameron told MPs the threat posed by IS was not "on the far side of the world", saying it had already been responsible for one major attack in Europe and a number of other plots had been foiled.
"This is not the stuff of fantasy. It is happening in front of us and we need to face up to it," he said."This is not the stuff of fantasy. It is happening in front of us and we need to face up to it," he said.
IS, he said, had "already declared war on us and there was no walk on-by option". 'Not fantasy'
He added: "It is our duty to take part. It is about protecting people on the streets of Britain." Citing attacks by IS on targets in Europe, and the growing number of foiled terror plots, he said the organisation "already declared war on us and there was no walk on-by option".
Mr Cameron said UK support had been requested by the Iraqi government but he acknowledged that air strikes alone would not "roll back" IS and bombings had to be part of a "comprehensive plan". Stressing that the UK had "unique assets" to contribute to the military offensive, he added: "It is our duty to take part. It is about protecting people on the streets of Britain."
Addressing concerns from MPs that the UK could be dragged into a long war, Mr Cameron said air strikes would not "roll back" IS alone but must be part of "comprehensive" political and humanitarian plan.
"This is not 2003 but we should not use past mistakes as an excuse for inaction or indifference."
The UK is not proposing any involvement in air strikes on Syria, although Mr Cameron has said he does not think there is a "legal barrier" to such a move.The UK is not proposing any involvement in air strikes on Syria, although Mr Cameron has said he does not think there is a "legal barrier" to such a move.
Backing Mr Cameron on Iraq, Labour leader Ed Miliband said IS was a "murderous" organisation intent of "more killing" although he urged the endorsement of the United Nations for military intervention.
"There is no graver decision for our Parliament and our country. But protecting our national interest, security and the values for which we stand is why I will be supporting the motion this afternoon."
On Thursday, about 250 people protested outside the gates of Downing Street against the possibility of military action in Iraq.On Thursday, about 250 people protested outside the gates of Downing Street against the possibility of military action in Iraq.
Some MPs also oppose the military action.Some MPs also oppose the military action.
Labour's Diane Abbott, Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell signed a letter to the Guardian which said bombing Iraq would "only exacerbate the situation".Labour's Diane Abbott, Jeremy Corbyn and John McDonnell signed a letter to the Guardian which said bombing Iraq would "only exacerbate the situation".
"We urge the government to rule out any further military action in Iraq or Syria," they said."We urge the government to rule out any further military action in Iraq or Syria," they said.
The government does not have to seek the approval of MPs to commence military action, but it has become customary to do so since this first happened over the Iraq war in 2003.The government does not have to seek the approval of MPs to commence military action, but it has become customary to do so since this first happened over the Iraq war in 2003.
AnalysisAnalysis
by Jonathan Beale, defence correspondentby Jonathan Beale, defence correspondent
Six RAF Tornados in Cyprus have been ready to carry out air strikes for weeks. Their laser-guided bombs and missiles will be loaded and armed soon after Parliament gives the green light.Six RAF Tornados in Cyprus have been ready to carry out air strikes for weeks. Their laser-guided bombs and missiles will be loaded and armed soon after Parliament gives the green light.
The Tornados have already been flying reconnaissance missions over Iraq and will have identified potential targets. But some of the obvious ones, like command and control centres, will have already been hit by US war planes which have been launching strikes for the past month.The Tornados have already been flying reconnaissance missions over Iraq and will have identified potential targets. But some of the obvious ones, like command and control centres, will have already been hit by US war planes which have been launching strikes for the past month.
The focus of their attacks have now switched to Syria itself. So the RAF will also be looking for targets of opportunity - such as IS fighters and vehicles on the move.The focus of their attacks have now switched to Syria itself. So the RAF will also be looking for targets of opportunity - such as IS fighters and vehicles on the move.
The expected intervention of the UK will not be a game-changer. During military intervention against Libya in 2011, the RAF had three times as many war planes involved. But the fight against IS will be more like a marathon than a sprint.The expected intervention of the UK will not be a game-changer. During military intervention against Libya in 2011, the RAF had three times as many war planes involved. But the fight against IS will be more like a marathon than a sprint.
And the longer it goes on, IS will adapt its tactics, and airstrikes will inevitably become less potent.And the longer it goes on, IS will adapt its tactics, and airstrikes will inevitably become less potent.
Black marketBlack market
Its motion specifically rules out any attacks on IS in Syria, following the Commons' rejection of joining in air strikes in that country last year. Any action there would require a separate vote.Its motion specifically rules out any attacks on IS in Syria, following the Commons' rejection of joining in air strikes in that country last year. Any action there would require a separate vote.
Downing Street said UK forces could join the bombing of targets in Iraq after the Iraqi minister of foreign affairs wrote to the United Nations seeking international assistance.Downing Street said UK forces could join the bombing of targets in Iraq after the Iraqi minister of foreign affairs wrote to the United Nations seeking international assistance.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said: "The plan is to provide air support to the Iraqi government, alongside our allies - the US, France and an increasing number of Arab countries who are going to take part."
On Thursday, Mr Hammond had reiterated that any ground campaign against IS would not involve UK troops.
The US began a series of air strikes in Iraq last month, and on Monday it began attacks on targets in Syria.The US began a series of air strikes in Iraq last month, and on Monday it began attacks on targets in Syria.
Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby said the purpose of the Syria strikes was "not necessarily to kill militants" but to destroy the facilities - including oil refineries - which were funding IS through the black market.
Jets from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have joined US forces in the attacks, and the US says more than 40 countries have offered to join the anti-IS coalition.Jets from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have joined US forces in the attacks, and the US says more than 40 countries have offered to join the anti-IS coalition.
IS has threatened to kill British hostage Alan Henning, whose wife pleaded for his release on Tuesday. The threat was made in a video showing the beheading of British aid worker David Haines earlier this month. IS has threatened to kill British hostage Alan Henning, whose wife pleaded for his release on Tuesday.
Mr Haines's daughter, Bethany, has told ITV News IS must be "eradicated". The threat was made in a video showing the beheading of British aid worker David Haines earlier this month. Also on Tuesday, IS released a second video showing UK journalist John Cantlie.
Also on Tuesday, IS released a second video showing UK journalist John Cantlie.
Meanwhile, in the US, FBI director James Corney says the bureau has identified the man referred to in the British press as "Jihadi John".Meanwhile, in the US, FBI director James Corney says the bureau has identified the man referred to in the British press as "Jihadi John".
BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera said UK security services were frustrated at the FBI comments.BBC security correspondent Gordon Corera said UK security services were frustrated at the FBI comments.
He said UK authorities "may well" have known the suspect's identity for weeks, but they wanted to gather as much intelligence as possible without "tipping their hand as to what they knew".He said UK authorities "may well" have known the suspect's identity for weeks, but they wanted to gather as much intelligence as possible without "tipping their hand as to what they knew".
Analysis
by Sean Curran, parliamentary correspondent
David Cameron knows that the result of the Commons vote is not in doubt.
We are not about to see a repeat of the scenes at the end of August last year when a government's proposal to consider military action against Syria was rejected at the end of another emergency debate.
This time there's agreement between the three largest parties at Westminster, but that doesn't mean there won't be a real debate.
Some MPs are opposed to military action and will argue and vote against the motion.
That motion spells out that the Commons is not being asked to endorse air strikes in Syria and we can expect questions and concerns about what would happen in the future.
The suspected militant - whom the FBI is not naming at present - is thought to have appeared in IS beheading videos.The suspected militant - whom the FBI is not naming at present - is thought to have appeared in IS beheading videos.
Speaking at the UN in New York on Wednesday evening (Thursday morning UK time), Mr Cameron said countries must stop their citizens travelling to join jihadist groups.Speaking at the UN in New York on Wednesday evening (Thursday morning UK time), Mr Cameron said countries must stop their citizens travelling to join jihadist groups.
The EU's anti-terrorism chief, Gilles de Kerchove, has said more than 3,000 Europeans have joined Islamist fighters in Syria and Iraq, and Mr Cameron said 500 Britons had joined IS.
These apparently included Ibrahim Kamara, 19, from Brighton, whose mother Khadijah told the BBC her son had been killed in a US air strike in Syria on Monday.These apparently included Ibrahim Kamara, 19, from Brighton, whose mother Khadijah told the BBC her son had been killed in a US air strike in Syria on Monday.
She said her son, who had apparently joined al-Qaeda affiliate group Jabhat al-Nusra, had been "brainwashed".She said her son, who had apparently joined al-Qaeda affiliate group Jabhat al-Nusra, had been "brainwashed".
Jihadist speaks
Amer Deghayes, from Brighton, said he travelled to Syria with Ibrahim Kamara to join Jabhat al-Nusra.
Speaking to BBC Newsnight from Syria, Mr Deghayes said Mr Kamara was "soft-hearted" and a "funny guy" who wanted to help people.
"He was just a normal Muslim lad," he said.
"He learned about his duty towards the people that are being oppressed, people that are being attacked because they're Muslims and he saw that the solution is jihad."
Mr Deghayes said he understood why his friend's family were upset, but said Mr Kamara had been granted a "honour" by Allah.
"Ibrahim has always been a person that asked for martyrdom," he said.
He said if the family did not "understand", it was because they did not have "the knowledge of the virtues of jihad and the virtues of martyrdom".
Mr Deghayes said he was friends with at least three other British fighters who were killed in Monday's air strikes, but he refused to reveal their identities.
Are you in Iraq or Syria? What is your reaction to this vote? Email your views to haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you in Iraq or Syria? What is your reaction to this vote? Email your views to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk