Pulse.Assent

Minister Burt said:

I welcome Lebanon’s first parliamentary elections since 2009, which took place on 6 May. I was pleased to see that the elections took place peacefully and in an orderly way, and I hope that the recommendations of the electoral observer missions will be acted on.

The United Kingdom remains steadfast in its commitment to Lebanon’s stability, security and prosperity. I hope that Lebanon’s political leaders, following the announcement of the election results, move swiftly to form a new government to address the crucial issues facing the country. I welcome calls from political leaders to carry out celebrations in a calm and peaceful manner.

The next government will have the important task of protecting Lebanon’s stability and security by: robustly implementing the policy of disassociation from regional conflict; abiding by the provisions of all relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, in particular 1559 and 1701; and ensuring that the state’s legitimate security institutions hold the monopoly on the use of force.

We also look forward to the next government making rapid progress on implementing the commitments to economic reform made at the CEDRE Conference (Conférence économique pour le développement, par les réformes et avec les entreprises) in Paris on 6 April, and working with the international community on the approach to the many refugees from Syria hosted by Lebanon, as set out in the Lebanon Partnership Paper jointly agreed at the Brussels Conference on 24 and 25 April.

The United Kingdom will remain a strong partner of Lebanon as it addresses the crucial challenges ahead.

Further information

• Follow the Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt on Twitter @AlistairBurtUK
• Follow the Foreign Office on Twitter @foreignoffice and Facebook
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Minister for Europe, Sir Alan Duncan said:

I am pleased that a solution to the political situation in Armenia has been found, via negotiation and through the Parliament, and congratulate Nikol Pashinyan on his election as Armenia’s new Prime Minister.

It is to the credit of all involved that events over the last three weeks have unfolded peacefully and largely without incident.

It is important that the restraint and statesmanship shown by all parties continues and that the political process moves forward, based on solid constitutional and legal foundations.

In my two visits to Armenia in the last 12 months, I have seen first-hand the country’s rich history, and its huge potential. I was particularly impressed by the many young people I met, who are determined to build a bright future for Armenia.

The UK, as a longstanding friend of Armenia, stands ready to support its efforts to strengthen its democracy, deliver good governance, and improve economic opportunities for all.

Further information

• Follow Foreign Office Minister Sir Alan Duncan on Twitter @AlanDuncanMP and Facebook
• Follow the Foreign Office on Twitter @foreignoffice and Facebook
• Follow the Foreign Office on Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn

The Prime Minister has approved the appointment of Sir Antony Edwards-Stuart as the new Deputy Chair of the Security Vetting Appeals Panel, with effect from 1 April 2018. He will replace Sir Stephen Silber who is retiring from the Panel after several years of service.

Sir Antony Edwards-Stuart was called to the Bar (G) in 1976, took Silk in 1991 and elected a Bencher in 2009. He was appointed an Assistant Recorder in 1991, a Recorder in 1997, a Deputy High Court Judge in 2003 and a Judge of the High Court (Queen’s Bench) in 2009. He was appointed a Judge by Request of the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals and Immigration and Asylum Chambers) in 2011. He was appointed a Legal Member of the Special Immigration and Appeals Commission and a Judge in Charge, Technology and Construction Court, in 2013. Sir Antony retired from the High Court in November 2016 and has, since, taken up appointments as party appointed arbitrator or chairman in several international arbitrations.