Mr Hollande, who this morning met families of the victims in Paris, told reporters that the terror attacks showed “man is the worst enemy of man”.
Advertisement
British politicians are keenly aware of public opinion over whether to launch air strikes on Syria.
His comments were in sharp contrast to those of shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn, who said Mr Cameron had made “compelling arguments” when he set out his case for extending air strikes against IS into Syria in a Commons statement.
“I believe that we should now take the decision to extend British air strikes against ISIL into Syria”, he wrote, ahead of a speech in parliament on Thursday where he will formally argue his case for war.
There are splits in the Labour party about how the United Kingdom should intervene in Syria.
While British forces are taking part in air strikes on IS targets in Iraq, they are not involved in the US-led coalition targeting Syria due to resistance from opposition parties still mindful of previous unpopular interventions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He faced warnings of resignations after he wrote to Labour MPs rejecting the prime minister’s case for military action.
One shadow minister, Emily Thornberry, said there was a “brutally honest” debate within the party and some Labour MPs have called on Corbyn to resign.
“And we will also create a new 1.3 bln pound prosperity fund to drive forward our aim of promoting global prosperity and good governance”, said Cameron.
Two Labour MPs have since called for Mr Corbyn to resign over the issue, with John Spellar, MP for Warley, saying the Labour leader’s handling of the row had been “unacceptable”.
While allies of Mr Corbyn appealed for calm within the Labour ranks, critics on the backbenches openly voiced their contempt for his “weak” leadership and urged him to step down.
Corbyn’s letter was released shortly after a 90-minute meeting of the shadow cabinet, at which a majority of members were in support of military action.
Asked by another user why he had posted a link that allowed non-Labour members to fill it in, Mr Ashworth replied: “Because I think we should take account of views of voters”.
By contrast Mr Benn, deputy leader Tom Watson, shadow Education Secretary Lucy Powell, Shadow Culture Secretary Michael Dugher and Shadow Justice Secretary Lord Falconer all spoke out in favour of bombing. “You should follow your own judgement on what you think is best for the constituency and the country”. “Then he thinks he can bypass his shadow cabinet and the Parliamentary Labour Party”.
This could expose a deep rift, as while the leader has indicated he opposes military action against IS, a number of shadow ministers are likely to support it or choose to abstain.
Advertisement
Unlike with Iraq and Libya, he said this time there was firm commitment to make sure there would be a functioning government in Syria to replace the Assad regime.
