Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of the Syrian refugee crisis and the ongoing war in that country, they will reconsider their policy of demanding the resignation of President Assad and promoting peace talks between the Assad regime and the officially-recognised opposition.

The Assad regime is responsible for the crisis in Syria; there is no realistic prospect of peace while Assad is in power. The only way to end the violence, and counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, is through inclusive governance which can represent all communities, free from Assad. The UK continues to believe that a negotiated political transition in Syria, in line with the Geneva communiqué, is the only way to end the conflict and alleviate Syria’s humanitarian crisis. The UN is best placed to facilitate any talks between the regime and the opposition designed to help bring about a political settlement.