British Prime Minister David Cameron is pushing for parliamentary backing for airstrikes against the Islamic State (IS) in Syria, and British lawmakers are expected to vote on the matter within the next two weeks, British Sky News reported Saturday.

The first British strikes in Syria would happen within hours of a "yes" vote, according to the Sunday Times newspaper.

Cameron is preparing a seven-point plan for British military intervention in Syria, the newspaper quoted Downing Street sources as saying.

British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne is reportedly planning to announce a new defense investment to buy 100 more stealth fighter jets, in a bid to boost British capability to tackle IS and other extremist groups.

The new investment is likely to be a key part of British government's strategic defense review to be published next week.

Cameron will meet French President Francois Hollande in Paris on Monday for talks about counter-terrorism and the fight against IS.

On Friday, Cameron welcomed the unanimous adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution on defeating IS, also known as ISIL or ISIS.

In a statement, he said: "I will continue to make the case for us to do more and to build support in Parliament for the action that I believe is necessary for Britain to take to protect our own security, as part of a determined international strategy."

"We cannot expect others to shoulder the burdens and the risks of protecting this country," he added.

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)