Finance Minister George Osborne said Britain and Europe had to find a way to tackle the conflict in Syria as well as provide asylum to those genuinely fleeing persecution.
“You've got to deal with the problem at source, which is this evil Assad regime and the ISIL (Islamic State) terrorists, and you need a comprehensive plan for a more stable, peaceful Syria,” Osborne told Reuters.
“A huge challenge of course, but you can't just let that crisis fester. We've got to get engaged in that.”
The Sunday Times newspaper said British Prime Minister David Cameron wanted to hold a vote in Parliament in early October to pave the way for air strikes against Islamic State in Syria.
He was also seeking to launch a military and intelligence offensive against people traffickers, the newspaper said, quoting senior officials.
Meanwhile, French newspaper Le Monde reported earlier on Saturday that France was considering conducting air strikes on Islamic State in Syria, joining an international coalition led by the United States.
Government officials declined to comment on the report.
During a press conference at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Monday, French President Francois Hollande confirmed that France will be taking 24,000 Syrian refugees under European Commission's plan.
“This is a crisis, and it is a grave and dramatic one. It can be brought under control and it will be,” he said.
Source: Reuters; AFP
File Photo: French Rafale jets conducting first reconnaissance mission over Iraq
