David Cameron today warned of a “generational struggle” ahead to quell the terrorist ideology behind the Algerian gas plan atrocity.
Calling for patience and endurance, he told MPs: “We are in the midst of a generational struggle against an ideology which is an extreme distortion of the Islamic faith, and which holds that mass murder and terror are not only acceptable but necessary.
“We must tackle this poisonous thinking at home and abroad and resist the ideologues’ attempt to divide the world into a clash of civilisations.”
Giving a Commons statement on the Algerian gas plant atrocity, Mr Cameron vowed to rally international leaders behind a campaign of both tough military support for democratic governments and political campaigning.
But he made clear he wanted to act with other countries and not go it alone, as Tony Blair and George W Bush were accused of doing in Iraq.
“More than ever, this evolving threat demands an international response,” he said. “It must be tough, intelligent, patient and based on strong partnerships”
Branding the Algeria attacks “murderous violence”, he said they required a strong security response.
But he said a strong political campaign was vital to prevent the toxic beliefs of al Qaeda and other extremists spreading tin the region.
“Our security response must be matched by an intelligent political response. Al Qaeda franchises thrive where there are weak political institutions, political instability and the failure to address long-standing political grievances.
“So we must match a strong security response with a political approach that address these issues.”
Answering questions from MPs, Mr Cameron stressed that military action should be approved by the United Nations.
