Canadian PM-elect vows Iraq, Syria fighter jet withdrawal
The Canadian prime minister-elect, Justin Trudeau, has vowed to withdraw his country’s CF-18 fighter jets from Syria and Iraq, where a so-called US-led aerial campaign is hitting purported Daesh targets.
Trudeau said he made the announcement during a Tuesday phone call with US President Barack Obama, who had called to congratulate him on his victory in the 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 though Canada 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 country’s combat missions. His party was also a strong opponent of a proposal by Harper’s Conservative government to extend activities from Iraq into Syria. In April, the Canadian parliament voted 142 to 129 to extend their country’s military campaign against Daesh in Iraq and expand the mission to Syria.
The announcement was not mentioned a transcription of the conversation released by the White House.
Trudeau also 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 targets inside Syria without any authorization from Damascus or a UN mandate.
During the press conference, he also vowed equality in the gender composition of his cabinet that will 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," Trudeau said.
He also promised a significant boost on Canada's acceptance of Syrian refugees.
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