France appeals directly for Britain to join war against Isis in Syria
In article for the Guardian, French defence minister calls for RAF to ‘take fight to heart of Isis’, as MPs consider case for strikes
Jean-Yves Le Drian: Britain, France needs you in this fight against Isis
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François Hollande calls for grand coalition against Isis – video
Patrick Wintour Political editor
Thursday 26 November 2015 13.00 EST
Last modified on Thursday 26 November 2015 15.54 EST
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The French government has taken the highly unusual step of expressing the hope that the Royal Air Force “will soon be …show more content…
Over Syria, British aircraft are supporting the coalition with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
“Isis is not just present in Iraq. It operates across the border, in Syria, where its headquarters are located, in Raqqa. It is from Raqqa that some of the main threats against other countries are planned and orchestrated. That’s why it is now crucial to strike Isis in Syria in order to degrade and, ultimately, to destroy it.”
The minister argues that the British have unique military hardware that would add to the coalition’s strength in combat missions in the country. “The RAF has significant capabilities for precision airstrikes, aerial reconnaissance and air-to-air refuelling support,” he says. “On a daily basis, its Tornado aircrafts and unmanned drones are causing very severe damage to Isis in Iraq. The use of these capabilities over Syria would put additional and extreme pressure on the Isis terror network.”
It is understood that French diplomats have been in touch with Labour frontbenchers to supplement this argument in private.
How the parties at Westminster would vote on Syria …show more content…
Corbyn afterwards set out his opposition to war in a letter to Labour MPs.
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Labour MPs will be critical to Cameron’s decision on whether to table a motion calling for airstrikes as early as next week, since they will decide whether Cameron has the clear majority he says he needs to authorise strikes.
All Labour MPs will come under pressure from local activists this weekend with emails already being sent to MPs claiming a vote for war will play into the hands of Isis and endanger British citizens.
The shadow foreign secretary, Hilary Benn, speaking after Thursday’s shadow cabinet meeting, indicated he was leaning to support for airstrikes, saying there were “compelling”
In article for the Guardian, French defence minister calls for RAF to ‘take fight to heart of Isis’, as MPs consider case for strikes
Jean-Yves Le Drian: Britain, France needs you in this fight against Isis
Mute
Current Time 0:00
/
Duration Time 0:35
Loaded: 0%
Progress: 0%
François Hollande calls for grand coalition against Isis – video
Patrick Wintour Political editor
Thursday 26 November 2015 13.00 EST
Last modified on Thursday 26 November 2015 15.54 EST
Share on Pinterest Share on LinkedIn Share on Google+
Shares
1,441
Save for later
The French government has taken the highly unusual step of expressing the hope that the Royal Air Force “will soon be …show more content…
Over Syria, British aircraft are supporting the coalition with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
“Isis is not just present in Iraq. It operates across the border, in Syria, where its headquarters are located, in Raqqa. It is from Raqqa that some of the main threats against other countries are planned and orchestrated. That’s why it is now crucial to strike Isis in Syria in order to degrade and, ultimately, to destroy it.”
The minister argues that the British have unique military hardware that would add to the coalition’s strength in combat missions in the country. “The RAF has significant capabilities for precision airstrikes, aerial reconnaissance and air-to-air refuelling support,” he says. “On a daily basis, its Tornado aircrafts and unmanned drones are causing very severe damage to Isis in Iraq. The use of these capabilities over Syria would put additional and extreme pressure on the Isis terror network.”
It is understood that French diplomats have been in touch with Labour frontbenchers to supplement this argument in private.
How the parties at Westminster would vote on Syria …show more content…
Corbyn afterwards set out his opposition to war in a letter to Labour MPs.
Advertisement
Labour MPs will be critical to Cameron’s decision on whether to table a motion calling for airstrikes as early as next week, since they will decide whether Cameron has the clear majority he says he needs to authorise strikes.
All Labour MPs will come under pressure from local activists this weekend with emails already being sent to MPs claiming a vote for war will play into the hands of Isis and endanger British citizens.
The shadow foreign secretary, Hilary Benn, speaking after Thursday’s shadow cabinet meeting, indicated he was leaning to support for airstrikes, saying there were “compelling”