UK's Jeremy Corbyn 'to suspend Syria airstrikes' if elected

British opposition leader says he could reconsider the UK's position on Syria airstrikes and nuclear deterrent if elected as prime minister in June.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab

24 April, 2017

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has long been opposed to military intervention in Syria [AFP}

UK opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn said Sunday that he may suspend British airstrikes on Syria if he is elected prime minister in the country's election of June 8.

The Labour Party leader, who lags behind Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May by as many as 20 points in the polls, said he would also have to consider whether he would support a drone strike on Islamic State group leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi to limit civilian deaths.

"The only solution in Syria is going to be a political one," Corbyn said on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show.

"I want us to say 'Listen, let's get people around the table quickly' and a way of achieving that – suspending the strikes, possibly."

The veteran anti-war campaigner added that he would also reconsider Britain's nuclear deterent, which he has long opposed.

The Conservatives, who have previously labelled Corbyn as a "threat to national security," pounced upon his comments and have emphasised the "strong leadership" of May.

Britain will head to the ballot box on June 8 following the announcement of a snap general election by Prime Minister May last week.

It is widely expected that the ruling Conservative Party will win a landslide victory, following two years of leadership struggles and internal squabbling within the opposition Labour Party.