BERLIN
Germany and Britain have announced their support for U.S. President Barack Obama’s strategy against the Islamic State.
But British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond’s apparent ruling out of British military action against IS was later contradicted by Prime Minister David Cameron’s office.
“We support entirely the US approach of developing an international and regional coalition in support of the Iraqi government,” Hammond said at a joint Berlin press conference with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Thursday.
He added: “Let me be clear: Britain will not be taking part in any air strikes in Syria. We have already had that discussion in our parliament last year and we won't be revisiting that position."
He argued that Syria and Iraq were very different in terms of legal environment and in terms of the “military permissiveness.”
But a Downing Street spokesman later said: "In terms of air power, the prime minister has not ruled anything out and that is the position.” Cameron's office said Hammond had been refering to a parliamentary vote on military action against President Bashar al-Assad and that action against IS had not been decided.
Steinmeier has also expressed support for the U.S. strategy. “Under current conditions, there is no comprehensive strategy that guarantees success against IS," he said. "The road ahead is a long one. It also requires involving Arab countries if we are to succeed.”
Asked by journalists about Germany’s contribution to possible air strikes targeting IS in Syria, Stenmeier said it was not an option.
Steinmeier added that he and Hammond will travel to Paris on Monday to attend an international conference to discuss measures against IS and ways to support Iraq.
As a part of a new strategy for combating IS, Obama declared on Wednesday that the U.S. would not hesitate to take action against militants in Syria, as well as expanding the scope of air strikes in Iraq as part of a broad coalition.
During his address, he also called on U.S. lawmakers to give the administration additional authority and resources to train and equip moderate Syrian opposition fighters.
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