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Canada won't be participating in any military intervention in Syria but supports the countries who are now considering launching an attack against the troubled country, the prime minister said Thursday.
"At present the Canadian government has no plans for a Canadian military mission [to Syria]," Stephen Harper said. "Notwithstanding [Canada's] reluctance [to getting involved], the risks of not acting in the face of what appears to be [an escalating situation] appears extremely dangerous."
Harper's comments come a day after Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird told reporters Canada's role would likely be limited to a supporting one, and that the government would also lend political support to any military strikes.
A meeting of the United Nations Security Council earlier this week ended without consensus. Of the five member countries, Russia and China have maintained their support for Syria's Bashar Al Assad, despite pressure from the U.S., France and the U.K. to potentially launch some kind of strike.
Baird said Wednesday that while an attack using drones and cruise missiles was being considered, Canada has neither.
NDP Leader Tom Mulcair said Wednesday that MPs should be recalled to the House of Commons to debate the specifics of what Canada's role would be.
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has also stated he believes MPs should return to the House to, among other things, discuss Syria.
Harper's statement that Canada will not become militarily involved in Syria precludes previous calls from opposition parties that Parliament would have to be reconvened so that Canadian engagement could be debated.
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