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British leader sets Syria airstrikes debate for Wednesday

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LONDON (AP) — Prime Minister David Cameron says Parliament will hold a debate Wednesday on whether Britain should launch airstrikes against militants in Syria.

Cameron's statement Monday comes only hours after opposition leader Jeremy Corbyn decided that Labour Party lawmakers would be allowed to vote their conscience on the matter — rather than to keep party discipline and have a unified stance.

The decision came after members of Corbyn's inner circle had threated to break ranks and vote with Cameron.

Cameron has said he wouldn't take the matter to Parliament unless he could be certain of victory, worried that Britain's prestige would be at risk.