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Paris Attacks Could Happen In UK, Warns Minister

Paris Attacks Could Happen In UK, Warns Minister

The terror attacks in Paris could "easily" happen in London, the Defence Secretary has warned and insisted the only way to deal with Islamic State extremists was by force.

Michael Fallon said the threat to Britain from the militants, also known as ISIL, was as "potent" in the UK as it was in the French capital where 130 people were killed in the recent massacre.

While the security forces were working hard to tackle the terror risk, an attack like that in Paris and the threat in Brussels that sparked a security lockdown, could not be ruled out in the UK's major cities, Mr Fallon told The Sunday Telegraph.

He said: "What happened in Paris and Brussels could easily happen in London."

Mr Fallon added: "The threat from ISIL is as potent here as it was real in Paris and Brussels."

His warning comes as David Cameron is to attempt to persuade wavering MPs to back airstrikes against IS in Syria by tabling a Commons motion based on last weekend's United Nations resolution.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has made clear his opposition to extending RAF airstrikes into Syria.

Mr Fallon said he respected Mr Corbyn's views but argued military action was the only way to deal with IS.

He told the newspaper: "These aren't people you can negotiate with. You can only deal with them by force."

The Government motion, which will probably be debated later this week, will emphasise that airstrikes will be just one of four courses of action for members to consider.

The proposals will also include counter-extremism moves, a diplomatic and political process and immediate humanitarian support for Syria.

The likely wording of the motion emerged after Mr Cameron confirmed during a news conference at the Commonwealth summit in Malta that ministers are continuing to hold talks with backbenchers of all parties over the weekend .

"I hope that when the choice comes people will indicate that this is the right thing for Britain to do. It is and we should do it," Mr Cameron said before leaving Malta to attend an emergency EU summit in Brussels on Europe's migration crisis.

The motion will note the UN resolution calls on member states to take "all necessary measures" to prevent terrorist acts by IS and to "eradicate the safe haven they have established over significant parts of Iraq and Syria".

By citing the resolution, the Government is suggesting it has learned the lessons of the 2003 Iraq war, when opponents attacked Tony Blair's failure to obtain a second resolution in New York, claiming that made the invasion of Iraq and the toppling of Saddam Hussein illegal.