Former MI6 intelligence director Nigel Inkster warns against joining military action that could anger Assad allies.
Britain should avoid becoming embroiled in direct military action in Syria, according to the former intelligence director of MI6.
On Thursday, the US Senate approved President Barack Obama's plan to train and arm moderate Syrian rebels to fight Islamic State (Isis), endorsing a key plank of the president's plans for taking on jihadi militants.
US air strikes are also expected in Syria as part of Obama's strategy for wider military action in the country against Isis.
Nigel Inkster, a former deputy head of MI6, said that, although empowering rebel forces was sensible, the UK should not be tempted to join any potential military action in Syria which would antagonise the allies of President Bashar al-Assad, such as Russia. Britain has not ruled out air strikes in Iraq or Syria, but it has said targeting Isis positions in Syria would be complicated.