Britain sends six Typhoon jets to Greek Cyprus base

LONDON, England - Agence France Presse

In this file picture downloaded from the British Royal Air Force (RAF) Minister of Defence (MOD) website, dated June 30, 2004, two Typhoon aircraft of 29 Squadron based at RAF Coningsby are pictured from underneath as they fly over the Cypriot coastline after taking off from Britain's Akrotiri military base, in southern Cyprus in the east Mediterranean. AFP PHOTO/HO/RAF/MOD/SAC Taz Hetherington

Britain has sent six RAF Typhoon jets to its Akrotiri base in Greek Cyprus in a move to protect British interests as tensions grow over Syria, the Ministry of Defence said Thursday.
 
The jets were deployed will not take part in any direct military action, the ministry said, as the British parliament prepares to debate a government motion on a possible response to the chemical attack near Damascus last week.
 
"This is purely a prudent and precautionary measure to ensure the protection of UK interests and the defence of our Sovereign Base Areas at a time of heightened tension in the wider region," the ministry said.
 
"They are not deploying to take part in any military action against Syria." British lawmakers will have to return for a second vote on another day after the opposition blocked Prime Minister David Cameron's plans to hold a definitive vote on Thursday, reportedly sparking fury among government ranks.