But that will test the promise of co-operation from his conservative adversaries in parliament.

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The issue was raised following a question from Conservative MP Bob Blackman on defence co-operation with another Gulf state, the United Arab Emirates.

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Acting on intelligence information, Sultan said the soldiers began a routine search operation in the South Waziristan region -- a culturally conservative tribal area in Pakistan's semi-autonomous northwestern border region.

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Bernard Braine backed the Suez operation, opposed sanctions against Rhodesia, and in 1965 supported Enoch Powell for the Conservative Party leadership.

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The Lisbon Treaty paves the way for limited co-operation and defence policy between those member states that wish to do so, however British Conservative MEP Charles Tannock raised concerns over how this could impact on existing agreements with the USA and NATO.

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However, the UK Government may come under fire from the opposition Conservative Party, which called for the army to be withdrawn after a British soldier died during September's daring operation to rescue British troops held hostage by the West Side Boys militia.

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