David Lammy
David Lammy, Britain’s newly appointed Foreign Secretary, restated his support Friday for international efforts to secure an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and for the release of remaining hostages.
In his first remarks as the country’s top diplomat, Lammy stated that he would get to work with tireless diplomacy towards those twin aims.
Following Labour’s landslide victory in the UK general election held Thursday, new UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed Lammy, the party’s spokesperson on foreign affairs since 2021, in the post hours earlier.
“All of us recognise the agony of communities who have seen the scenes coming out of Israel and Gaza”, said Lammy.
“But the job now is to get to work with tireless diplomacy to support an immediate ceasefire and move towards getting those hostages out”, Lammy continued.
Lammy, who succeeded Conservative David Cameron as foreign secretary, also stated, “I will do all I can diplomatically to support US President Joe Biden’s efforts to secure the ceasefire”.
Biden announced a truce deal in May proposed by Israel. The deal includes an initial six-week truce, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza population centres and the freeing of captives by Palestinian militants.
The UK government, under Starmer’s predecessor Rishi Sunak, has backed the US-led efforts, and Labour regaining power is not expected to represent a shift in London’s policy towards the war.
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