Rehman, during a statement from Defence Minister James Heappey MP, raised the issue of terrorists and insurgents exploiting open orders in the Sahel region to smuggle arms and drugs across borders.
Rehman asked if the British Government supports the French initiative to increase regional coordination through the new G5 Joint Force to deploy 5,000 personnel from 5 neighbouring member states.
He further asked that, with France's key role and intelligence in the region, what the Government's view was on the point made by some to include France in the Five Eyes intelligence sharing alliance.
