DAVID Cameron has failed to provide details on his plans for ground forces in Syria and reconstruction support following any future British air strikes on the country, the SNP said last night.
The party’s Westminster leader Angus Robertson pressed the Prime Minister on his strategy during Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday and ahead of a statement he is due to give today.
“Reconstructing Syria will be essential to secure stability and allow refugees to return – yet the Prime Minister seems unaware of the UK Government’s plans for reconstruction – if there are any plans at all,” Robertson said.
“As we hear the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement today on spending, how much has been allocated from the UK for post-conflict Syria? The UK Government spent 13 times more bombing Libya than securing the peace after the overthrow of the Gaddafi regime.”
He added: “We need more details from the Prime Minister –including his plans for boots on the ground. All serious observers agree that an air campaign alone will not lead to the ultimate defeat of Daesh on the ground and ground forces will be needed. How many troops and from which countries does the Prime Minister have in his plan?”
Cameron has been stepping up efforts to win support among MPs for British air strikes against Daesh following the attacks by members of the extremist group in Paris earlier this month which claimed 130 lives.
A vote on air strikes is expected to take place in the Commons early next week.
The SNP MP for Inverclyde Ronnie Cowan said bombing Syria would not solve the crisis.
He said: “All we shall do is radicalise another generation... Bombing does not bring peace. It brings death and destruction, misery and anger and ultimately retribution.”
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