§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What in international law is the status of the sorties performed by British aircraft involved in No Fly surveillance in Iraq; whether they, or the United States aircraft in company with which they fly, have been authorised by the United Nations Security Council to attack targets in Iraq; and, if so, in which circumstances. [HL2646]
§ Lord GilbertCoalition aircraft police the northern and southern No Fly Zones in support of Security Council Resolution 688, which calls on Iraq to end the repression of the Iraqi population. Iraq is well aware that it must not interfere with operations in the No Fly Zones. The coalition has the right to act in self-defence when the safety of pilots and aircraft is threatened.