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 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". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |