To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the latest position regarding training of the Syrian moderate opposition is; and if he will make a statement.
The UK is contributing to the US-led effort to train and equip the moderate armed opposition ISIL. We will provide 85 personnel to the programme. This includes headquarters staff and trainers, and their deployment will be phased over time as the programme is established. They will provide instruction in the use of small arms, infantry tactics and medical skills. The programme is designed to help the moderate opposition fight ISIL and to help create the conditions for a negotiated political transition in Syria.