Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Oral Answers to Questions

Rehman Chishti Excerpts
Monday 29th February 2016

(8 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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The Secretary of State was asked—
Rehman Chishti Portrait Rehman Chishti (Gillingham and Rainham) (Con)
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1. What recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on progress in the campaign against Daesh.

Kevin Hollinrake Portrait Kevin Hollinrake (Thirsk and Malton) (Con)
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7. What recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on progress in the campaign against Daesh.

Michael Fallon Portrait The Secretary of State for Defence (Michael Fallon)
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On 20 January, I attended the first Defence Ministers meeting in Paris, where we reviewed and agreed options for intensifying the military operation against Daesh in Iraq and Syria. On 11 February, I attended the full counter-Daesh ministerial in Brussels, where we agreed an accelerated campaign plan, including agreeing on the importance of the liberation of Mosul and Raqqa, and pressing Daesh from all sides.

Rehman Chishti Portrait Rehman Chishti
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The international community had previously asked Arab countries to do more in the fight against Daesh. Having just returned from leading a parliamentary delegation to Saudi Arabia, I understand that the Saudi authorities are prepared to send ground troops into Syria to defeat Daesh but require air cover from their international partners. Will the United Kingdom and other international partners look at that request?

Michael Fallon Portrait Michael Fallon
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I welcome the contribution that co-operating Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, which was present at the Daesh meeting in Brussels, are making to the fight against Daesh, and I welcome the Saudi redeployment of F-15 aircraft to the coalition air campaign. I have seen the reports my hon. Friend mentioned that Saudi Arabia is prepared to send troops to the fight in Syria. We will wait to see the details of any plan before commenting on what support the UK would provide as part of the global coalition.