We Don't Need UN To Bomb Syria, Says Hammond

UN backing is not needed to extend RAF airstrikes from Iraq to Syria, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has argued.

The Cabinet Minister insisted there was "a perfectly sound legal base" for taking action against Islamic State.

His comments come after the Prime Minister told MPs the question of how to combat the terror group "cannot be dodged forever" as he pressed for the UK to join strikes in Syria.

David Cameron has said following the Paris attacks there was a "compelling case" for extending military operations and signalled his determination to hold another Commons vote.

Speaking on a visit to Albania, Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said: "We believe that there is a perfectly sound legal base for taking action against ISIL in Iraq and Syria and we see no reason to give the Russians veto control over our activities by seeking to go through the process of a further UN Security Council resolution."

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This echoed the position of Mr Cameron who dismissed suggestions Britain should only take action if there was a UN Security Council resolution.

The PM said he would not "outsource to Russian veto the decisions that we need to keep our country safe".

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has made clear his opposition to Britain extending military action from Iraq to Syria, arguing a political settlement is needed, rather than more bombing.

A senior Labour source said: "Our approach collectively in the Labour Party to the issue of the ISIS problem is that it needs to be defeated, that the way to do that is not unilateral UK bombing of Syria.

"What's needed is a comprehensive settlement of the Syrian war, out of which ISIS thrives and has grown and has spread."

He added: "Any kind of collective action internationally has to be endorsed by the United Nations."

But the former head of the British Army, Lord Dannatt, told Sky News: "I think it's quite clear to everyone if they were in any doubt at all that the threat from so-called Islamic State-ISIL isn't just a threat in the Middle East, the Syria-Iraq region, it's a threat to us in Europe.

"The key issue is to show we are a fully participating member of this coalition and send a very clear message that the UK takes its responsibilities seriously.

"Currently we are reacting in half a way, just over Iraq. Islamic State does not recognise borders.

"We are being artificial and half-hearted in our response. We have got to do more. We have got to do more quickly and ISIL and Islamic State must be defeated.

"We shouldn't be cowed by the threat of attacks in the home base. The right thing is to attack and defeat ISIL where it is while protecting ourselves at the same time.

"It will be difficult, but it's possible."