Syria Debate: Cameron Makes Case For Action

David Cameron has urged MPs to support his position on military action in Syria as he declared "this is not like Iraq".

The Prime Minister insisted the "abhorrent" chemical weapons attack in Damascus last week could not be ignored.

But he stressed his plans should not be compared to the invasion in 2003, which led to the downfall of Saddam Hussein.

Starting an emergency debate in the Commons, he admitted this had sparked "deep public cynicism" about military intervention.

However, he argued Britain should stand by the "international taboo" that condemns chemical weapons and step in.

Ed Miliband is demanding "compelling evidence" against the Assad regime

Ahead of an important Commons vote, Mr Cameron told MPs a UN Security Council resolution should not be the only possible basis for action.

Indicating Britain could ignore a veto by Russia or China, he said his test would be if there was "overwhelming opposition" at the UN.

The Prime Minister admitted there was no "one smoking piece of intelligence" that proved the Assad regime was behind the atrocity.

But he said he had been convinced by the available evidence and told MPs it was now up to them to make the same judgement.

He warned Syrian leader Bashar Assad would conclude he could "use these weapons again and again and on a larger scale and with impunity" if the world stood by.

"In the end we can't know the mind of this brutal dictator, all we can do is make a judgment about whether it is better to act or not to act and make a judgment about whether he is responsible or not responsible," he said.

The debate came after Downing Street published its legal basis for action and a letter detailing the advice of intelligence experts.

Government lawyers believe Britain could launch a targeted strike on humanitarian grounds without agreement at the UN.

Anti-war protesters outside Parliament during the debate

And evidence from the Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) found a chemical weapons did take place and it was "highly likely" the Assad regime was to blame.

MPs will vote tonight on the principle of military action, with any direct British involvement requiring a further Commons vote.

Mr Cameron was forced to abandon plans for early intervention due to Labour opposition - but the party is still vowing to oppose the Government motion.

It called the Prime Minister's position "opaque" and is demanding "compelling evidence" before committing itself.

Number 10 has reacted furiously to Ed Miliband's positioning, accusing him of "playing politics" and attempting to divide the country.

But in the Commons, the Labour leader insisted "evidence should precede decision" and that the UN was not an "inconvenient sideshow" but essential to building a case.

A frustrated Number 10 claimed the evidence from the intelligence services and publicly available material, including YouTube videos, was clear.

"Are we seriously suggesting that rows of three-year-old children frothing at the mouth and dead were somehow made to act this out?" a senior source said.

"Experts who have looked at this video have said it is conclusive that something like sarin was used here. The idea that this was concocted in some way is ridiculous."

UN inspectors investigating the attack this week

UN weapons inspectors are due to finish their work on Friday and will report directly to secretary general Ban Ki-moon within 24 hours.

But their conclusions will not apportion blame - they will only set out the evidence on whether a chemical attack happened or not.

The Syrian leader issued a fresh warning on Thursday that the country would "defend itself in the face of any aggression".

And the country's Parliament called on British MPs to avoid "reckless action", warning intervention could help terrorists and lead to the deaths of UK troops.

In a letter, it declared a strike would be "an aggressive and unprovoked act of war" and said: "We ask you not to bomb us but to work with us."

Six British RAF Typhoon jets have been sent to Cyprus as tensions mount, in what the Ministry of Defence called a "prudent and precautionary measure".

Meanwhile, reports suggested Russia - a key ally of Syria - is sending warships to the Mediterranean.

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Syria Debate: Cameron Makes Case For Action

Dengan url

http://yojanganmenyerah.blogspot.com/2013/08/syria-debate-cameron-makes-case-for.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Syria Debate: Cameron Makes Case For Action

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Syria Debate: Cameron Makes Case For Action

sebagai sumbernya