International Syria Support Group: Airdrops Debate

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Department: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

International Syria Support Group: Airdrops

Philip Hollobone Excerpts
Thursday 9th June 2016

(8 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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Order. I intend to run the exchanges on this question until 11 o’clock, but not beyond that. I know that colleagues will take their cue from that advice.

Philip Hollobone Portrait Mr Philip Hollobone (Kettering) (Con)
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The Minister is right that Russia is the key to this. Only Russia can persuade the Assad regime to acquiesce. What steps are the Minister, the Department for International Development or both of them together taking to put pressure on Russia to do just that?

David Lidington Portrait Mr Lidington
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Russia is the key player in terms of influence over Assad and, of course, the key sponsor of Syria’s military capability. We use every opportunity, both within the ISSG, of which Russia is a full member, and in other diplomatic exchanges with Russia at official and ministerial level, to emphasise the importance of Russia delivering on the commitments she has made.