‘We will not lament Soleimani’s death,’ Boris Johnson says

skynewsafrica We will not lament Soleimani's death,' Boris Johnson says

UNITED KINGDOM

Boris Johnson has broken his silence following the killing of Major General Qassem Soleimani in a US airstrike – saying “we will not lament his death”.

Following his return from a holiday in the Caribbean, the UK’s prime minister confirmed he has spoken with France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Angela Merkel, and US President Donald Trump.

In a statement, Mr Johnson said: “General Qassem Soleimani posed a threat to all our interests and was responsible for a pattern of disruptive, destabilising behaviour in the region.

“Given the leading role he has played in actions that have led to the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians and western personnel, we will not lament his death.”

The PM warned that “all calls for retaliation or reprisals will simply lead to more violence in the region” – adding that the UK “is in close contact with all sides to encourage de-escalation”.

Mr Johnson also confirmed that the UK has taken steps to increase the security of British personnel and interests in the region, and said parliament will be updated on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told Sky News Africa’s Kate Howard on Sunday that he has accused hardliners in Tehran of “nefarious behaviour” – describing Maj Gen Soleimani as a “regional menace”.


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