Abbott lays framework for air strikes in Iraq

ARE you sure there is no bomb in there? TONY Abbott began a measured week-long approach towards the deployment of fighter jets in Iraq, as a senior Syrian declared his country “already dead”. A MONTH ago, Paige Duffy became so much more than Jake Friend’s long-time partner and off-field support base. She saved the Roosters players life. AUSTRALIAN doctors have cut the cost of having a baby using IVF to $800, with low-cost techniques are almost as effective as conventional IVF.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has said Australia's military involvement in Iraq will be decided within days.
PRIME Minister Tony Abbott yesterday began a measured week-long approach towards the deployment of fighter jets in Iraq, as a senior Syrian figure declared his war-torn country “already dead”.
Mr Abbott flew into Canberra from New York yesterday morning and received briefings ahead of a meeting of the National Security Committee in the coming days. Cabinet is expected to meet tomorrow but it is unlikely a formal position on Iraq will be presented then.
As speculation grows about Australian involvement in Syria, the president of the Australian-Syrian Association declared missions in the country were too late.
FIRST US-LED AIR STRIKES ON IRAQ
Prime Minister Tony Abbott arrives back in Canberra yesterday / Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia
Mohammad Al-Hamwi, who has had 36 family members killed in Syria, said action was five years too late: “The country is dead. It’s gone from being a tumour to taking over the whole body, it’s too late for morphine because it is already dead.’’
Air crew prepare to board the E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft for deployment to the Middle East / Picture: CPL Melina Young/Royal Australian Air Force Source: Getty Images
US warplanes have launched new air strikes against Islamic State jihadists in Syria and Iraq.
Mr Al-Hamwi said Syria’s Assad regime, headed by dictator Bashar al-Assad, was just as bad as Islamic State — meaning both would have to be wiped out for the nation to move forward: “Assad has killed more people than Saddam. Something needed to be done years ago.’’
Foreign minister Julie Bishop said the government would have to hold further discussions before a decision was made on Syria: “Syria is another step, different considerations would apply,’’ she said.
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Prime Minister Tony Abbott / Picture: Gary Ramage Source: News Corp Australia
“It would have to be a different discussion within the national security committee, within cabinet and presumably with the opposition.”
Debates have raged over the legalities of fighting in Syria, with no formal government request from the war-torn nation compared to a functional government in Iraq.

PM Tony Abbott says he is concerned about the threat of 'lone wolf' terrorism but has called for calm.
Originally published as Abbott lays framework for air strikes in Iraq
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