Britain has had a reserve of part-time or retired soldiers - often known as yeomanry - since the Middle Ages but the system was only regularised in 1907 with the passing of legislation creating a Territorial Force.

BBC: Philip Hammond with soldiers

In case some politicians found it difficult to understand all this, Article 2(4) spelled it out in unequivocal terms: "All Members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state".

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He said any employment protection would also affect those residents of the island who serve with the reserves for the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force and the national Territorial Army units, which are separate to the island's squadron.

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China has long recognised that it needs a modern navy, capable of patrolling far from its own shores, and an air force able to defend its far-flung territorial claims.

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His idea is for an on-call force of police officers based on retained firefighters or the Territorial Army.

BBC: Adam Simmonds

The request comes after UN chief Ban Ki-moon proposed a three-month extension to the force's mandate while the north and south resolve outstanding territorial issues.

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Mr Simmonds said the idea of a reserve force had come from looking at models in Northern Ireland and the Territorial Army.

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