Hilary Benn MP, Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, commenting on reports that Russia has begun airstrikes in Syria, said:

“Russia needs to urgently clarify what the aims are of its air strikes in Syria.

“There is wide international agreement on the threat from ISIL/Daesh, but while the Russians say that this is who they are targeting, reports from Syria suggest that this is not the case.

“What has happened in the last 48 hours makes it all the more pressing and important that the British Government lead the way in seeking to secure a UN Security Council resolution to deal with the threat from ISIL/Daesh, safeguard civilians, increase humanitarian aid and agree a plan to try and bring peace to the long-suffering Syrian people.”