Syrian leader could face trial for war crimes, hints Cameron
SYRIAN dictator Bashar al-Assad could be prosecuted for war crimes once the conflict in his country is resolved, David Cameron suggested yesterday.
The Prime Minister indicated Assad should be hauled before the International Criminal Court in the Hague for crimes against his own people.
His hard stance comes despite the fact Britain has softened its position on Assad remaining in power while world leaders push for a diplomatic solution to the conflict.
Ministers have always said Assad must go because of his barbaric attacks on his own people. But in a significant shift, the dictator could be allowed to remain in place in the short-term while the West prioritises the combating of Islamic State.
Ahead of talks with major powers in the region at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Mr Cameron said Assad ‘can’t be a part of Syria’s long-term’.
‘He’s butchered his own people, he’s helped create this conflict and this migration crisis. He’s one of the great recruiting sergeants for Isil,’ he said. ‘He can’t play a part in the future of Syria. That position hasn’t changed.’
And he added: ‘I think people who break international law should be subject to international law and that certainly hasn’t changed.’
His comments come as France last night launched its first air strikes against Islamic State in Syria. President Francois Hollande suggested there is ‘proof ’ of plans for attacks on France, with his office saying that hitting targets in Syria was a matter of national defence.
The attacks follow suggestions from US intelligence that as many as 30,000 foreign fighters have flocked into Syria and Iraq since 2011 – far more than was previously estimated.
France’s involvement will further expose Britain’s position of only attacking the terror group in Iraq. Ministers are keen to extend RAF action into Syria, but Parliamentary approval is needed to do so, with a vote expected in the coming months.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is opposed to such a move. But some Labour MPs have told the BBC they would defy him in a vote, with sources close to shadow foreign secretary Hilary Benn saying they are explicitly not ruling out backing an extension of UK air strikes into Syria.
Last night it also emerged that Labour is to call for the United Nations to set up safe havens in Syria that could be maintained by no-fly zones and peacekeeping troops. However party sources insist no British troops would be involved.
Mr Cameron will tomorrow hold formal talks with Iranian president Hassan Rouhani as part of a major diplomatic push on the Syrian crisis.
The Prime Minister said: ‘ We have to talk to all of the countries that are involved.
‘It’s time to spend more to make longer conversations about the future of the region and the future of Syria.’