This week at the Foreign Office
A look at the work of the Foreign Office and its embassies overseas this week.
The main focus of the Foreign Office this week was Libya:
Monday
- Foreign Secretary attends UN Human Rights Council in Geneva
- Prime Minister statement to Parliament on the Government’s response
Tuesday
- Foreign Secretary presses Libyan Foreign Minister to end violence
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Foreign Secretary welcomes decision to suspend Libya from the Human Rights Council Wednesday
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Foreign Secretary speaks to General Abdul Fattah Younis al Obidi Thursday
- Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt statement to Parliament on the consular response
- Foreign Secretary discusses Libya with French Foreign Minister
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg explained why the EU cannot afford to adopt a neutral stance towards events in North Africa in a speech in Brussels.
Afghan President Karzai visited the UK and met Prime Minister David Cameron. The Government also published its monthly progress report on Afghanistan covering the month of January.
Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne updated Parliament on the UK response to the earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand.
” 2011 could be the pivotal year for the future of the Commonwealth” said Foreign Office Minister Lord Howell in his speech on Wednesday.
A documentary on the work of the Forced Marriage Unit aired on TV on Monday. The documentary showed the work of the Unit at the busiest time of year - the summer school holidays.
Welcoming progress on the Arms Trade Treaty, Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt said that a global Arms Trade Treaty has the potential to “prevent human rights abuses, reduce conflict and make the world a safer place”.
Tunisia, Libya, climate security and St David’s Day were amongst the subjects discussed by Foreign Office bloggers this week.