Prime Minister said:
“Today I have spoken with President Macron,
President Trump and Chancellor Merkel and will be speaking with
other leaders in the coming days.
“General Qasem Soleimani posed a threat to all
our interests and was responsible for a pattern of disruptive,
destabilising behaviour in the region. Given the leading role he
has played in actions that have led to the deaths of thousands of
innocent civilians and western personnel, we will not lament his
death.
“It is clear however that all calls for
retaliation or reprisals will simply lead to more violence in the
region and they are in no one’s interest.
“We are in close contact with all sides to
encourage de-escalation. I will be speaking to other leaders and
our Iraqi friends to support peace and stability. The Foreign
Secretary has been in constant contact with leaders and foreign
ministers from across the globe and we have taken steps to
increase the security of our personnel and interests in the
region. Following further international engagement and
ministerial meetings here in the UK, Parliament will be updated
on Tuesday.”
ENDS
Background
- Ministers will meet on Monday to discuss the ongoing
situation in the Middle East. The National Security Council will
also meet this week.
- The Prime Minister will continue speaking with world leaders
throughout the week. The Foreign Secretary has already spoken to
US Secretary of State Pompeo, Iraqi President Salih, Iraqi Prime
Minister Abdul Mahdi, French Foreign
Minister Le Drian, Turkish Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu and German
Foreign Minister Maas. Later this week he will meet
US Secretary of State Pompeo as part of a long planned visit to
the United States.
- The Foreign Office will update Parliament on Tuesday.
