THE UN must endorse military action to eradicate Islamic State (IS) and broker peace in Syria.

Indiscriminate violence in Paris was meticulously planned at different locations across the French capital last Friday, November 13.

The death toll stands at 132 with 350 other people wounded, 99 critically.

Parisians, many young, were innocents, caught in the crossfire when Islamic State attacked Western democracy and French culture. French military action in Syria is a likely motive. This is the second terrorist attack on Paris this year. However, the earlier attack at the offices of Charlie Hebdo was provoked by inflammatory cartoons ridiculing Prophet Mohammed and targeted.

Last Friday’s attack was on a far greater scale.

Islamic State militants are bringing their fight into Europe, no country is immune.

French President Francois Hollande announced a state of emergency, advising people to stay indoors.

He said the attacks were “an act of war”, echoing George Bush’s “war on terror” after 9/11. This is playing into the hands of the terrorists. Diplomacy, better relations between the US and Russia and, above all, endorsement of all military action by the UN are the best hope of eradicating Islamic State and negotiating peace in Syria and Iraq.

Arab states, Arab Sunnis, need to participate in all military action because Nato and Western democracies are the enemy of IS and thus unable to broker peace.

The mistake in Iraq was to invade without UN agreement. MPs voted against military action in Syria in 2013, shaken by the bloodbath in Iraq and their part in it and Islamic State gradually filled the vacuum left when Saddam Hussein was deposed.

David Cameron must devote himself to achieving a UN mandate before more military intervention. Jeremy Corbyn and the Labour frontbench will hopefully ensure this. Nato action is not sufficient.

  • Roz Scott is a journalist