Tri-Service
PM Offers France Use Of RAF Akrotiri For IS Raids
RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus has been offered in support of French operations against Islamic State.
As an act of solidarity with the French Armed Forces, the Prime Minister said he had offered the French air force the use of the British Sovereign base on Cyprus to assist in bombing IS as well as RAF air-to-air refuelling support.
The Ministry of Defence have clarified the announcement saying "The French will not be launching strikes from RAF Akrotiri against ISIL but it could be used if a diversionary runway is required for any reason."
It comes after the Defence Secretary announced that Britain is re-rolling the Type 45 Destroyer HMS Defender to provide air defence cover for the Charles de Gaulle.
The French aircraft carrier has now arrived in the eastern Mediterranean, from where the country's jets can now launch air strikes on Islamic State targets.
HMS Defender is one of the Royal Navy's most advanced ships and has already carried out air defence training with French Mirage fighter jets.
David Cameron, meanwhile, has vowed Britain will support France in its fight against Islamic State in the wake of the Paris terror attacks.
Following talks in the French capital with President Francois Hollande, the PM said he would set out the case for extending RAF air strikes against IS - also referred to as Isil - into Syria in Parliament later this week.
Standing alongside Mr Hollande in the Elysee Palace, Mr Cameron declared: "The United Kingdom will do all in our power to support our friend and ally France to defeat this evil death cult.
"I firmly support the action that President Hollande has taken to strike Isil in Syria and it is my firm conviction that Britain should do so too."
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said:
"This offer is another demonstration of our solidarity with our French allies. It is right that we do all we can to help them hit IS harder. Meanwhile, we will continue to strike this vile organisation in Iraq and build the case for extending those strikes to Syria".
Mr Hollande welcomed the British support and said it was essential to strike IS in its heartlands in Syria.
"France has taken the decision last September. It is up to the United Kingdom how it can commit and operate," he said.
"We will intensify our strikes, we will choose the targets that yield the best possible damage against the terrorist army."
In London, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon indicated the Government would not move to an immediate Commons vote after Mr Cameron's statement responding to the recent Foreign Affairs Committee report on military intervention in Syria.
He reaffirmed that ministers would only go to the House once they were sure there was a majority in favour of military action.
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