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A Downing Street spokesperson said:

The Prime Minister held a telephone call with the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier today.

The Prime Minister condemned the Iranian rocket attacks against Israeli forces, and said we strongly support Israel’s right to defend itself against Iranian aggression.

The Prime Minister noted our statement calling on Iran to refrain from any further attacks, and for calm on all sides.

They agreed it was vital for the international community to continue working together to counter Iran’s destabilising regional activity, and for Russia to use its influence in Syria to prevent further Iranian attacks.

The Prime Minister reiterated our position on the Iran nuclear deal, noting that we and our European partners remain firmly committed to ensuring the deal is upheld, as the best way of preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

Mr Samuel Thomas has been appointed Her Majesty’s first ever resident Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania. Previously Mr Thomas Reilly was Her Majesty’s non-resident Ambassador, based in Rabat, Morocco. The UK is also upgrading its existing office in Nouakchott to an Embassy.

Mr Thomas will take up his appointment during May 2018. The UK has had an office in Mauritania since 2011. The move to upgrade it to an Embassy is a sign of the UK’s growing bilateral relationship with Mauritania and its commitment to the region.

On Mr Thomas’s appointment, the Foreign Secretary said:

I am delighted that we are enhancing our representation in Mauritania, and hope that our relationship continues to grow, particularly in trade. We are strengthening our diplomatic, security and development engagement across North Africa and the Sahel, and this Mission is another example of Global Britain: outward facing and forging stronger relationships around the world.

Minister of State for the Middle East at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Minister of State at the Department for International Development, Alistair Burt added:

This is an exciting new chapter as we deepen our links across the region and I particularly look forward to visiting later in the year.

Mr Thomas has worked in the public and private sector, focusing on energy, trade and terrorism. He joined the FCO in 2009 to work on UN Security Council policy, before moving to the Middle East and North Africa Directorate. He has previously served overseas in Tripoli, Moscow and Baghdad.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Full name: Samuel Thomas

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