David Cameron to set out strategy on Islamic State air strikes

David Cameron has promised to set out a “comprehensive” strategy for tackling Islamic State (IS) on Thursday that will include British air strikes on the terrorists’ bases in Syria.

The British Prime Minister confirmed he would be coming to parliament to “make the case” for wider military action after holding talks with French president Francois Hollande in the wake of the attacks on Paris.

Unveiling the Strategic Defence and Security Review to MPs, Mr Cameron said IS was “not some remote problem thousands of miles away”. “It has already taken the lives of British hostages and carried out the worst attack against British people since 7/7 on the beaches of Tunisia, to say nothing of the seven terrorist plots right here in Britain that have been foiled by our security services over the past year,” he said.

“On Thursday I will come to this House and make a further statement responding personally to the Foreign Affairs Committee. I will make the case for Britain to join our international allies in going after Isil (IS) in their headquarters in Syria, not just in Iraq.”

Standing alongside Mr Hollande in the Elysee Palace earlier, Mr Cameron said: “

I firmly support the action that President Hollande has taken to strike Isil in Syria and it is my firm conviction that Britain should do so too.”

In London, British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon indicated the government would not move to an immediate Commons vote on military intervention in Syria. Ministers will only go to the House once they were sure there was a majority in favour of military action.