PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Iraq (16 December 2014)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what priority he and other Ministers in his Department are giving during discussions on the UK's military involvement in Iraq to ensuring that the Iraqi government holds talks with Sunni tribes; and if he will make a statement.

Asked by:
Gareth Thomas (Labour)

We welcome the commitments that Prime Minister Abadi has made to inclusive governance and ensuring that the interests of all communities in Iraq are properly represented in the political process and in the fight against ISIL.

The Iraqi government’s constructive engagement with the Sunni community, who continue to suffer at the hands of ISIL’s brutality, to bring them back into the political fold will be critical if ISIL is to be defeated in Iraq. The Government has raised this issue with Prime Minister Abadi on a number of occasions, including during my visit to Baghdad in October when I welcomed the progress that has been made so far, including steps to reform the Iraqi Security Forces. The UK will continue to support Prime Minister Abadi’s efforts to advance the national reconciliation process.

Answered by:
Mr Tobias Ellwood (Conservative)
5 January 2015