European Council

Lord Bellingham Excerpts
Tuesday 19th March 2013

(11 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Swire Portrait Mr Swire
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The whole point of bringing some assistance to the Syrian official opposition, and bolstering them and allowing them to present themselves as a credible alternative to the Assad regime, is so that all the other organisations, backed by Hezbollah or whoever, do not get traction in Syria. The hon. Lady would have to agree with the action the Government have taken to date in bolstering the Syrian opposition, which we see as the only credible long-term alternative to the current regime in Damascus.

Lord Bellingham Portrait Mr Henry Bellingham (North West Norfolk) (Con)
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Was Mali discussed at the Council, and the EU’s policy towards the Sahel? Can the Minister of State give the House a quick update on the progress of the EU training mission?

Lord Swire Portrait Mr Swire
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Mali was not on the agenda, and I am not aware that it was discussed.