British Prime Minister David Cameron is not ruling out military action against Islamic State militants in Syria, a spokesman said today, after Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said Britain would not join any US air strikes in Syria.
"The prime minister has not ruled anything out," the spokesman said, adding that Hammond's comments were in reference to a parliamentary vote last year on military action in Syria which the government lost.
But the spokesman added: "No decisions have been been taken".
Speaking during a visit to Berlin earlier today, Hammond said: "Let me be clear, Britain will not be taking part in any air strikes in Syria".
"We've already had that discussion in our parliament last year and we won't be revising that position," he said at a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Cameron has previously said he would act against the militants to protect Britain's national interest even without parliamentary approval, although Britain has so far limited to action against IS in Iraq providing humanitarian aid, arms for Kurdish fighters and logistical support for US raids.
