British Government Has Not Considered Possibility Of Air Strikes On Iraq, Yemen And Sudan

The British government is not considering the possibility of delivering air strikes on Iraq, Yemen and Sudan, British ambassador to Russia Sir Roderick Lyne said at a Tuesday press conference. So far, this issue has not been discussed, he emphasised. At the same time, the British diplomat stressed that Her Majesty's government acknowledges that, apart from Afghanistan, there are other countries where terrorists are operating. According to him, the Osama bin Laden network has spread to over 50 countries. Roderick Lyne admitted that the anti-terrorist campaign in Afghanistan might last for some time. According to him, even now there is a real need to consider how international forces "will withdraw from this country." The British ambassador indicated that British forces were already participating in the operation in Afghanistan, however, their strength and operation details are not being made public for security reasons. According to him, London does not intend to set up permanent military bases in Afghanistan. "It is important that all the countries party to the international coalition have the opportunity to deliver everything required to Afghanistan, including humanitarian cargoes," he said. The British diplomat added that Great Britain had already sent a large number of foodstuffs and other humanitarian aid to the Afghan people. He said that the British Department for International Development was actively cooperating in this area with the Russian Emergencies Ministry.