Daesh in Syria and Iraq Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateLord Selkirk of Douglas
Main Page: Lord Selkirk of Douglas (Conservative - Life peer)Department Debates - View all Lord Selkirk of Douglas's debates with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
(8 years, 11 months ago)
Lords ChamberMy Lords, I agree that it is important that the Islamic military coalition should consider the interests of both Sunnis and Shias, but that should come in any event because there are Shia minorities within the coalition countries. Bahrain, which is a member, has a Shia majority population. The noble Lord is right, however, to sound a word of caution. We welcome the creation of the IMC to fight terrorism and we look forward to hearing further details from the Saudis on the IMC’s intended remit and scope. We want it to be able to work closely alongside the global coalition against Daesh to tackle the terrorist scourge.
Has there been substantial progress in destroying the stockpiles of chemical weapons, which was promised quite some time ago?
We continue to receive reports on the removal of chemical weapons. I answered a Question about this a little while ago and have also answered a Written Question. We continue to keep that under review, although I am concerned by reports that, in some circumstances, chemical weapons have been used in Syria. It is, therefore, even more important that we have regular inspections and reports. The specific stockpiles to which my noble friend referred have, we are told, been reduced.