This week at the Foreign Office
A look at the work of the Foreign Office and its embassies overseas this week.
This week British troops formally handed over security in Helmand capital Lashkar Gah to Afghan Forces. Foreign Secretary William Hague said:
“The UK and ISAF partners remain comitted to helping the Afghan Government ensure that Afghanistan never again becomes an operating base for international Terrorism.”
He also updated Parliament on progress in Afghanistan during June.
On Wednesday he welcomed the arrest of war crimes fugitive Goran Hadzic, the last remaining fugitive sought of the International Criminal Tribunal of the former Yugoslavia.
Foreign Office Minister Jeremy Browne set out how Britain should respond to the rise of emerging powers and the new world order their rise is creating.
He also chaired the first meeting of the Expert Group for Freedom of Expression on the Internet.
The Foreign Office published an update to the human rights and democracy report. This update includes updates on human rights developments in Libya and Syria.
Lord Howell spoke about re-shaping the Commonwealth as a network for the 21st Century to mark 100 days until Commonwealth Heads of Government meet in Perth.
Following his visit, Minister for the Overseas Territories Henry Bellingham was greatly encouraged by progress in Turks and Caicos Islands.
Minister for the Middle East Alistair Burt described hearing about women and children caught up in the Libyan conflict as “truly heartrending”.
South Sudan, trade and Libya were amongst the topics discussed by Foreign Office bloggers this week.