25 Apr 2024
Wednesday 21 October 2015 - 11:02
Story Code : 185287

Canadian PM-elect vows Iraq, Syria fighter jet withdrawal

The Canadian prime minister-elect, Justin Trudeau, has vowed to withdraw his countrys CF-18 fighter jets from Syria and Iraq, where a so-called US-led aerial campaign is hittingpurportedDaesh targets.

Trudeau said he made theannouncementduring a Tuesday phone call withUS President Barack Obama, who had calledtocongratulate him onhis victory inthe elections.

"About an hour ago I spoke with President Obama," said Trudeau during a press conference held after defeating Stephen Harper in the polls.

Trudeau added that he made it clear to Obama that even thoughCanada remains "a strong member of the coalition against ISIL (Daesh)," he will stick to his promises.

During his campaign, the Liberal party leader vowed to bring back the jets and end his countrys combat missions. His party was also a strong opponent of a proposal byHarpers Conservative governmenttoextend activities fromIraq intoSyria.In April, the Canadian parliament voted 142 to 129 to extend their countrys military campaign against Daesh in Iraq and expand the mission to Syria.

The announcement was not mentioneda transcription of the conversation released by the White House.

Trudeaualso said that his government will be "moving forward with commitments made while campaigning in a responsible fashion.

"We want to ensure that the transition is done in an orderly fashion," he noted.

Since September 2014, the US along with some of its allies has been conducting airstrikes against what are claimed to be Daesh targetsinside Syria without any authorization from Damascus or a UN mandate.



[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="555"] Canadian Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau speaks in Montreal on October 20, 2015 after winning the general elections. (AFP)[/caption]

During the press conference, he also vowed equality in the gender composition of his cabinet thatwill be announced on November 4, the day Trudeau officially becomes prime minster.

"I'm very happy to be able to say that we will absolutely fulfill that promise," Trudeausaid.

He also promised a significant boost on Canada's acceptance of Syrian refugees.

By Press TV
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