Hilary Benn MP, Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, commenting on the UNSC resolution said:

“I welcome the United Nations Security Council’s unanimous approval of this resolution that urges UN member states to take all necessary measures to combat ISIL/Daesh in Iraq and Syria because of the unprecedented threat it represents to international peace and security.

“ISIL/ Daesh’s depraved acts of violence have including subjecting women to unspeakable sexual violence, killing gay people and murdering innocent civilians in Paris, Egypt, Beirut, Ankara and Tunisia.

“I also welcome the progress that has been made in Vienna on a plan to end the Syrian civil war which will also help to defeat ISIL/Daesh by dealing with the chaos, violence and fear that allows it to thrive.

“The Security Council resolution must be seen as part of an overall effort to accelerate moves towards a comprehensive settlement of the conflict in Syria.

“As we have consistently said, Labour will judge any proposal the Government brings forward on British military action in Syria on the basis of what difference it would make to our objective of defeating ISIL/Daesh, its objectives, its legal basis and the views of other nations in the region.  Crucially it must be part of a wider and more comprehensive strategy to end the threat they pose and achieve a negotiated solution to the Syrian civil war.”

ENDS