Britain makes tactical retreat over Syria
31 Aug 2013 5:08 AM IST
Britain has taken a step back over military action in Syria after the country’s Opposition secured a promise of a second parliamentary vote over the divisive issue.
Prime Minister David Cameron had summoned MPs to return early from their summer break in order to vote in the House of Commons for British involvement in possible military strikes against Syria within days.
Cameron was forced to make a tactical retreat on the issue as a result of pressure from Labour party leader Ed Miliband, whose party has demanded six concessions for supporting the government over Syria.
The demands of the Labour party include a UN Security Council vote on the inspectors’ report; a further report to the Commons and a second vote before Britain takes part in any military action; ‘compelling evidence’ that the Assad
regime
was responsible for last week’s attack; and a ‘clear basis in international law’ for intervention.
‘I’m clear that this is a very grave decision to take military action that the House of Commons would be making’.
Prime Minister David Cameron had summoned MPs to return early from their summer break in order to vote in the House of Commons for British involvement in possible military strikes against Syria within days.
Cameron was forced to make a tactical retreat on the issue as a result of pressure from Labour party leader Ed Miliband, whose party has demanded six concessions for supporting the government over Syria.
The demands of the Labour party include a UN Security Council vote on the inspectors’ report; a further report to the Commons and a second vote before Britain takes part in any military action; ‘compelling evidence’ that the Assad
regime
was responsible for last week’s attack; and a ‘clear basis in international law’ for intervention.
‘I’m clear that this is a very grave decision to take military action that the House of Commons would be making’.
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