The backing of the UN Security Council would be preferable for any British military action against Islamic State (Isis) militants in Syria, but is not vital, David Cameron said on Wednesday (18 November). Cameron has said he will present a plan to parliament, including extending air strikes to Syria.

Russia is also launching air strikes against IS, but the US and its allies say many moderate opposition targets have been hit, believing Moscow is seeking to prop up Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

"Russia has different aims to us and they have repeatedly threatened to veto any such resolution," Cameron told parliament when asked if he would wait for a UN resolution before taking action.

"Of course it is always preferable in these circumstances to have the full backing of the United Nations Security Council but I have to say what matters most of all is that any action we would take would both be legal and would help protect our country."

Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn pressed Cameron to unite against Islamophobia in the aftermath of Friday's (13 November) attacks in Paris.

"It cannot be said often enough that these butchers of ISIL are no reflection of the true religion of Islam, which is a religion of peace. But at the same time, we do have to recognise that whether these terrorists are in Tunisia or in Egypt or in Paris or in London, they spout the same bile that they claim comes from the religion of Islam. That is why we have to take apart what they say and prove that's not the case," Cameron replied.

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