William Hague steps down as UK Foreign SecretaryJuly 15, 2014 - 10:03 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - William Hague has stood down as Foreign Secretary and will stay in the cabinet as Leader of the Commons, Downing Street said, according to BBC News. Hague is to leave Parliament at the 2015 general election after 26 years as MP for Richmond, North Yorkshire. Senior ministers have told the BBC that the current Defence Secretary, Philip Hammond, will replace Hague. "William Hague has been one of the leading lights of the Conservative Party for a generation, leading the party and serving in two cabinets," Prime Minister David Cameron said. "Not only has he been a first class foreign secretary - he has also been a close confidante, a wise counsellor and a great friend." Hague said: "I am delighted to be able to serve as Leader of the House of Commons, and to be able to campaign for Conservative candidates across the country. I want to finish in frontline politics as I began - speaking in Parliament and campaigning among the voters. After the general election I will return to my writing, while still giving very active support to the Conservative Party and campaigning on international causes I believe in." Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Protest leader vows to achieve departure of Armenian authorities According to Archbishop Bagrat, there is only one solution to the situation in Armenia. Heads of Armenian, Ukrainian parliaments hold virtual talks Alen Simonyan and Ruslan Stefanchuk held talks via video conference on Tuesday, May 21. Pashinyan travels to Iran to pay tribute to Raisi, others Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has left for the Islamic Republic of Iran on a working visit. Your home is in Armenia – Ameriabank offers mortgage loans for the Diaspora To buy real estate, Diasporans can apply to Ameriabank online to buy, renovate or build a home anywhere in Armenia. |