PM: Syria attracting al-Qaeda linked extremists

The Prime Minister has said there is both a moral and strategic imperative to act on Syria as the country is "attracting and empowering a new cohort of al-Qaeda linked extremists" increasing the risk of instability in the region.

Reporting on the European Council in a statement to MPs, David Cameron said: "A humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Syria on our watch, with over 40,000 dead and millions in need of urgent assistance as a hard winter approaches."

He said that European countries would review the arms embargo in Syria to support the opposition to President Assad.