British PM David Cameron pressures lawmakers over Syria strikes vote

Cameron would make a statement in the House of Commons on Thursday.

London: British Prime Minister David Cameron vowed Monday to make his case for Britain joining air strikes on Syria this week as he unveiled a new defence strategy stressing counter-terrorism and intelligence.

Cameron said he would make a statement in the House of Commons on Thursday as he steps up pressure for MPs to back joining international action against Islamic State jihadists following the November 13 attacks in Paris, which killed 130 people.

His comments came as he presented the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR), which maps Britain's military strategy for the next five years.

"As the murders on the streets of Paris reminded us so starkly, ISIL (another term for Islamic State) is not some remote problem thousands of miles away -- it is a direct threat to our security at home and abroad," Cameron said.