BERLIN (AP) – Hours after Britain’s foreign minister said the country wouldn’t participate in any airstrikes on Syria, Prime Minister David Cameron’s office overruled the comment Thursday and stressed that the government hadn’t discarded the use of air power.
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond told reporters at a news conference in Berlin: “Let me be clear: Britain will not be taking part in any airstrikes in Syria.” He said London won’t be “revisiting” the issue after Parliament decided last year against participating in airstrikes.
But a spokesman for Cameron’s office contradicted that position, saying Cameron had in fact not ruled out action related to the Islamic State group. A spokesman insisted Hammond was referring to a Parliament vote last year opposing airstrikes against President Bashar Assad’s regime.
British lawmakers are asking Cameron to clarify the government’s position and why there appeared to be a disparity between the politicians.
President Barack Obama on Wednesday authorized U.S. airstrikes inside Syria for the first time, along with expanded strikes in Iraq as part of “a steady, relentless effort” to root out the extremists.