Syria involvement fraught with difficulties and dangers
After several reports of chemical weapons use in the Syria are we about to start arming the rebels or bombing Damascus? In short, no.
Hague and Jolie campaign for anti-rape plan
Foreign secretary William Hague will travel with Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie to Africa this week to raise awareness of warzone rape.
Hague's farewell tribute to Hillary Clinton
Foreign Secretary is hosting dinner party for outgoing US Secretary of State to celebrate her legacy and their 'special relationship'.
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Hague: Government recognises Kenyans were tortured
In a statement to the House of Commons on the Mau Mau uprising, Foreign Secretary William Hague said:
The British Government recognises that Kenyans were subject to torture, an other forms of ill treatment at the hands of the colonial administration.
The British Government sincerely regrets that these abuses took place and that they marred Kenya's progress to independence.
Torture and ill treatment are abhorrent violations of human indignity which we unreservedly condemn.
Syria involvement fraught with difficulties and dangers
After several reports of chemical weapons use in the Syria are we about to start arming the rebels or bombing Damascus? In short, no.
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Cameron warns of consequences over Syria inaction
David Cameron told the Commons today there had been disagreement between the Government and Opposition over Syria, but said that doing nothing "had consequences".
Making his case for winning flexibility for Britain in dealing with the arms embargo, the Prime Minister highlighted the inaction over Bosnia in the 1990s.
I believe (opponents) are making some of the same arguments that were used in the Bosnian conflict 20 years ago. We were told taking action would have bad consequences, just as we hear now, but not taking action is a decision too.
In Bosnia it led to the slaughter of up to 200,000 people. It didn't stop the growth of extremism and radicalisation, it increased it. We should be clear about the nature of what is happening in Syria today.
This is not just a tragedy for Syria, it can end up being a tragedy for us too if we do not handle this properly.
UK: Syrian rebels arms decision after peace talks
The UK will decide whether to arm Syrian rebels only after planned peace talks involving President Bashar al-Assad's government and his opponents, the Foreign Secretary has said.
William Hague told Germany's Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung that the priority was US and Russian-led efforts to get the warring sides to the negotiating table.
But he added that he was "not overly optimistic".
"A decision on whether to deliver lethal weapons will depend on how those negotiations go and other countries' attitudes," he was quoted as saying.
Mr Hague said it was not too late to arm the rebels, despite the risks involved, given that the conflict in Syria had no end in sight.
"We need a political solution as soon as possible," he said. Unfortunately we don't know if there will be one. The conflict could go on for months or even years."
24 percent of British public back arming Syrian rebels
A new poll has suggested that less than a quarter of the British public support arming rebel forces in Syria.
According to the Opinium survey for The Observer, just 24% back giving weapons or military supplies to the rebels, though 58% believe they should get humanitarian aid.
Over three quarters (78%) said the UK remains too stretched by the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to engage in a new conflict.
The option to supply weapons was opened this week when Britain and France succeeded in lifting a European Union embargo.
Foreign Secretary William Hague insists there are no plans at present to do so, with the move seen as a bid to increase the pressure on all sides to attend and negotiate at a proposed peace conference in Geneva.
Ecuadorian minister to visit Assange at embassy
A senior Ecuadorian government minister will visit London as the first anniversary of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange's dramatic arrival at the country's embassy approaches.
Ecuador's Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino will meet with Mr Assange at the embassy in London, and has offered to hold talks with Foreign Secretary William Hague to try to reach an agreement over Mr Assange's future.
The Australian has been inside the embassy since June last year and has since been granted political asylum.
A Foreign Office spokesperson said they had been informed of Mr Patino's intention to travel to London "and we are now considering a request for a meeting with the Foreign Secretary".
"UK Government officials have been in regular contact with representatives of the Ecuadorian Government, both in London and Quito, about Mr Assange", they continued.
"We hope the visit will contribute to our joint commitment to finding a diplomatic solution to this issue".
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Hague: EU lifting Syrian arms embargo 'right decision'
Foreign Secretary William Hague said the European Union's decision to lift the Syrian arms embargo was the "right decision."
Syria decision gives EU 'flexibility' if crisis worsens
Foreign Secretary William Hague said the decision to lift the Syrian arms embargo gives the European Union "flexibility to respond" if the crisis deteriorates further in the future.
He said in a statement: "The other elements of EU sanctions on the Assad regime will be retained. EU nations also agreed a common framework for those member states who, in the future, may decide to supply military equipment to the Syrian National Coalition.
"These agreed safeguards would ensure that any such equipment would only be supplied to the National Coalition, for the protection of civilians.
"This does not mean that we have made any decision as the United Kingdom to send arms to the National Coalition, but we now have the flexibility to respond in the future if the situation continues to deteriorate and if the Assad regime refuses to negotiate.
"Thousands of lives are at stake in Syria. Our focus remains on efforts to secure a successful outcome at the forthcoming Geneva conference, and a political transition that ends the conflict, allows refugees to return to their homes, and prevents further radicalisation in Syria."
Hague: EU arms decision sends 'clear message to Assad'
– Foreign Secretary William HagueTonight EU nations agreed to bring the arms embargo on the Syrian opposition to an end. This was the outcome that the United Kingdom wanted. It was a difficult decision for some countries, but it was necessary and right to reinforce international efforts to reach a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Syria.
It was important for Europe to send a clear signal to the Assad regime that it has to negotiate seriously, and that all options remain on the table if it refuses to do so. Tonight EU nations have done just that.
Hague: EU lifts arms embargo on Syrian opposition
The EU arms embargo on the Syrian opposition has ended but there is "no immediate decision" to supply weapons, William Hague said tonight.
Right EU decision tonight. Arms embargo on Syrian opposition ended. No immediate decision to send arms. Other sanctions remain
From @WilliamJHague on Twitter:Today's top stories
