Following the publication of a letter from the Bishop of Leeds to David Cameron questioning the UK’s foreign policy, the Shadow Foreign Secretary, Douglas Alexander MP, said:
“This letter asks serious questions about the Government’s approach to the Middle East and the plight of Christians today facing persecution in Iraq. It will no doubt raise grave concerns about the Prime Minister’s approach to the region and it is right that he now respond to the questions posed.
"The letter rightly highlights the need for the international community to urgently reinvigorate its approach to delivering stability and security to the Middle East.
"The threat ISIL poses today to innocent Iraqi civilians, as well as to regional security and stability, must not be underestimated. The UK government rightly took steps to help avert humanitarian catastrophe in Iraq, and Labour has welcomed decisions to now offer support to the Kurdistan Regional Government and assist Kurdish forces with technical and logistical military equipment.
"But alongside steps to support the Kurdish forces, the UK must now work to engage regional partners to help build a more inclusive and stable government in Iraq.
"That regional approach must focus on supporting and stabilising Jordan, which now shares a border with the ISIS-held areas, as well as brining countries like Turkey into efforts to secure regional stabilisation.”
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