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David Cameron sets out case for air strikes on IS in Syria

He will say other nations should not be expected to “carry the burdens and the risks” of targeting IS in Syria “to stop terrorism here in Britain”.

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“The question for the House which we need to address tomorrow and in the days to come is: Should we wait for that?” “If we believe that action can help protect us, then with our allies, we should be part of that action, not standing aside from it”.

French warplanes have been part of that effort, and officials told Reuters the desire for greater action does not include expanding the operation to include ground troops into Syria. I will make the case for Britain to join our global allies in going after ISIL in their headquarters in Syria, not just in Iraq.

“We can not remain neutral in this battle of ideas – we have to back those who share our values with practical help and political representation”, the prime minister said on 17 November.

Tomorrow, David Cameron will set out his case for extending RAF airstrikes against ISIS from northern Iraq to Syria.

Mr Corbyn pointed to the “relatively marginal and remote Free Syrian Army” and suggested it was “more likely that other stronger jihadist and radical Salafist forces would take over” if ISIL was defeated.

British forces were involved in a protracted campaign in Iraq and have only recently withdrawn from Afghanistan after a 13-year involvement in conflict there.

Hollande, who has said France is in a “war” against the jihadists, is embarking on what could be a defining week of his three-year-long presidency.

And he said he planned to present a comprehensive strategy to defeat ISIL to the United Kingdom parliament later this week.

“A lasting defeat of Isil can only be secured by Syrians and their forces within the region”.

The shadow cabinet will meet on Thursday afternoon to discuss the issue.

The Scottish National Party’s leader in Westminster Angus Robertson said that his party’s MPs will not vote for air strikes in Syria unless they are convinced that there is effective ground support and a fully-costed plan for post-war reconstruction.

Cameron also emphasized that both countries must do more to tackle the threat of returning foreign fighters.

He reaffirmed that ministers would only go to the House once they were sure there was a majority in favour of military action.

“But I am also clear about the sequencing that needs to take place: this is an Isil-first strategy”.

The PM admitted that the recent shooting by Turkey of a Russian jet had complicated the bid to get a united front, but said “the gap” between himself and Vladimir Putin was narrowing on the long-term solution for Syria.

In his response to the Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr Cameron will call for IS to be denied a “safe haven” in Syria.

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If he decides to oppose air strikes, Mr Cameron will rely on enough Labour MPs to rebel against the party line – a tough hurdle to overcome if Mr Corbyn decides to whip the vote, as he has insisted he would. “This is vital at a time when the threats to our country are growing”, he said.

Hollande, Obama to Focus on Islamic State and Syria