Editing William Hague (section)

===Foreign Secretary===
[[File:Hague Clinton May 14 2010 Crop.jpeg|thumb|right|Hague met [[United States Secretary of State|US Secretary of State]] [[Hillary Clinton]] after his appointment as Foreign Secretary.]]
[[File:Foreign Secretary with Martti Ahtisaari and Mary Robinson (4702823340).jpg|thumb|right|Hague stands with members of [[The Elders (organization)|The Elders]] organisation: [[Martti Ahtisaari]], former [[President of Finland]] and [[Nobel Peace Laureate]], and [[Mary Robinson]], former [[President of Ireland]] and former [[UN High Commissioner for Human Rights]] in [[London]], 2010.]]
[[File:Secretary Kerry Shakes Hands with UK Foreign Secretary William Hague.jpg|thumb|right|Hague met Clinton's successor, Secretary of State [[John Kerry]], in 2013.]]
Prime Minister Cameron's first appointment was Hague as [[Foreign Secretary (United Kingdom)|Foreign Secretary]]. He was also accorded the [[Title of honor|honorary title]] of [[First Secretary of State]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Her Majesty's Government|url=http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/topstorynews/2010/05/her-majestys-government-49840|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515034600/http://www.number10.gov.uk/news/topstorynews/2010/05/her-majestys-government-49840|archive-date=15 May 2010|access-date=22 May 2010|publisher=10 Downing Street}}</ref> In his first overseas visit as British Foreign Secretary, Hague met US Secretary of State, [[Hillary Clinton]], at [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]].<ref>{{cite news|date=14 May 2010|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8681865.stm|title=Hague discusses Afghan mission with Clinton in US|work=BBC News|access-date=15 May 2010|archive-date=8 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108113058/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8681865.stm|url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2010, Hague set out a values-based [[foreign policy]], stating that: "We cannot have a foreign policy without a conscience. Foreign policy is domestic policy written large. The values we live by at home do not stop at our shores. Human rights are not the only issue that informs the making of foreign policy, but they are indivisible from it, not least because the consequences of foreign policy failure are human".<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/conservative/7972463/Human-rights-are-key-to-our-foreign-policy.html Human rights are key to our foreign policy] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127200000/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/conservative/7972463/Human-rights-are-key-to-our-foreign-policy.html |date=27 January 2011 }}. ''The Daily Telegraph''. (31 August 2010).</ref>

Hague further said that: "There will be no downgrading of human rights under this Government and no resiling from our commitments to aid and development". He continued by saying: "Indeed I intend to improve and strengthen our human rights work. It is not in our character as a nation to have a foreign policy without a conscience, and neither is it in our interests".<ref>{{Cite news|date=15 September 2010|title=Human rights to be at heart of diplomacy, insists Hague|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-11307722|access-date=31 October 2021|archive-date=31 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031160741/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-11307722|url-status=live}}</ref> However, in March 2011, Hague was criticised by [[Cardinal Keith O'Brien]] for increasing financial aid to [[Pakistan]] despite persecution of its [[Christianity in Pakistan|Christian minority]]: "To increase aid to the Pakistan Government when religious freedom is not upheld and those who speak up for religious freedom are gunned down is tantamount to an anti-Christian foreign policy".<ref name=christianpers>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/8382903/William-Hague-accused-of-anti-Christian-foreign-policy.html|title=William Hague accused of 'anti-Christian' foreign policy|last=Johnson|first=Simon|date=15 March 2011|work=The Telegraph|access-date=16 March 2011|location=London|archive-date=18 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110318054917/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/scotland/8382903/William-Hague-accused-of-anti-Christian-foreign-policy.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2011, Hague told [[BBC Radio&nbsp;4]]'s ''[[File on 4]]'' investigation ''Cyber Spies'' into the legality of domestic cyber surveillance and the export of this technology from the UK to countries with questionable human rights records that the UK had a strong export licence system. The programme also obtained confirmation from the UK's [[Department for Business Innovation and Skills]] that cyber surveillance products that break, as opposed to create, encryption do not require export licences.<ref name=cybersurv>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14981672|title=UK firm denies 'cyber-spy' deal with Egypt|last=Grey|first=Stephen|date=20 September 2011|publisher=BBC|access-date=25 September 2011|location=London|archive-date=23 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923191529/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14981672|url-status=live}}</ref>

In June 2012, he continued to stand in for [[David Cameron]] at PMQs when both the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister [[Nick Clegg]] were out of the country.

In January 2013, Hague visited [[New Zealand]] in his capacity as Foreign Secretary, holding talks with [[Ministers in the New Zealand Government|New Zealand government ministers]], [[Murray McCully]] and [[David Shearer]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.3news.co.nz/UKs-Hague-to-meet-McCully-Shearer/tabid/1607/articleID/283041/Default.aspx|work=3 News NZ|title=UK's Hague to meet McCully, Shearer|date=15 January 2013|access-date=14 January 2013|archive-date=30 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130144424/http://www.3news.co.nz/UKs-Hague-to-meet-McCully-Shearer/tabid/1607/articleID/283041/Default.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2013, Hague established the [[International Leaders Programme]], designed to identify and develop partnerships among future global leaders.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/two-thai-officials-attend-fcos-international-leaders-programme-in-uk|title=Two Thai officials attend FCO's International Leaders Programme in UK|date=11 March 2015|website=GOV.UK|language=en|access-date=11 February 2020|archive-date=4 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190904161910/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/two-thai-officials-attend-fcos-international-leaders-programme-in-uk|url-status=live}}</ref>

==== Media reaction to FCO appointment ====
In early September 2010, newspapers including ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', ''[[The Independent]]'' and the ''[[Daily Mail]]'' released stories about allegations surrounding Hague's friendship with 25-year-old Christopher Myers,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gabbatt|first=Adam|date=1 September 2010|title=Christopher Myers: the man in the spotlight|url=http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/sep/01/christopher-myers-profile-william-hague|access-date=31 October 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=4 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104134207/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2010/sep/01/christopher-myers-profile-william-hague|url-status=live}}</ref> a history graduate from [[Durham University]], whom he employed as a parliamentary [[Special adviser (UK)|special adviser]]. A spokesperson stated that "Any suggestion that the Foreign Secretary's relationship with Chris Myers is anything other than a purely professional one is wholly inaccurate and unfounded."<ref>Martin Beckford [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/william-hague/7974122/William-Hague-denies-inappropriate-relationship-with-special-adviser.html "William Hague denies inappropriate relationship with Special Advisor"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100904035747/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/william-hague/7974122/William-Hague-denies-inappropriate-relationship-with-special-adviser.html |date=4 September 2010 }}, ''The Daily Telegraph'', 1 September 2010. Retrieved 1 September 2010.</ref>
[[File:Foreign Secretary with Quartet Representative, Tony Blair (4754276987).jpg|left|thumb|Hague with Quartet Representative and former prime minister [[Tony Blair]] in 2010]]
On 1 September 2010, Myers resigned from his appointment in light of that press speculation,<ref>{{Cite news|date=1 September 2010|title=William Hague's adviser Christopher Myers resigns|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-11156963|access-date=31 October 2021|archive-date=31 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031160749/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-11156963|url-status=live}}</ref> which prompted Hague to issue a public statement, wherein he confirmed that he had "occasionally" shared a hotel room with Myers [for reasons of frugality by upbringing], but refuting the "utterly false" suggestions that he had ever been involved in a relationship with {{em|any}} man.<ref>{{Cite web|date=23 October 2011|title=Hague denies rumour he is gay &ndash; but special adviser steps down|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/hague-denies-rumour-he-gay-ndash-special-adviser-steps-down-2068151.html|access-date=31 October 2021|website=The Independent|language=en|archive-date=31 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031160744/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/hague-denies-rumour-he-gay-ndash-special-adviser-steps-down-2068151.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A spokesperson for Prime Minister David Cameron reported that he gave his "full support" over the media rumours.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2 September 2010|title=William Hague 'has Cameron's full support' over rumours|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-11163229|access-date=31 October 2021|archive-date=31 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031160744/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-11163229|url-status=live}}</ref> Figures from both within and without the Conservative Party criticised Hague for his personal response to the stories, with former [[1997 Conservative Party  leadership election|Conservative leadership candidate]], [[John Redwood]], commenting that Hague had shown "poor judgement",<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 September 2010|title=John Redwood reignites old feud as he criticises William Hague's 'poor judgment' |first= Nicholas |last=Watt|url=http://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2010/sep/02/william-hague-john-redwood|access-date=31 October 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=4 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104154954/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/wintour-and-watt/2010/sep/02/william-hague-john-redwood|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)|the Speaker's wife]], Labour-supporting [[Sally Bercow]], speculating that Hague had been given "duff PR advice",<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/william-hague/7979217/Speakers-wife-criticises-William-Hague-for-revealing-wifes-miscarriages.html "Speaker's wife criticises William Hague for revealing wife's miscarriages"], ''The Daily Telegraph''. 3 September 2010. Retrieved 3 September 2010. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110203024042/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/william-hague/7979217/Speakers-wife-criticises-William-Hague-for-revealing-wifes-miscarriages.html |date=3 February 2011 }}.</ref> whilst a parliamentary and ministerial colleague, the Conservative MP, [[Alan Duncan]], described the media coverage as "contemptible".<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/william-hague/7981529/Coverage-of-William-Hagues-personal-life-is-contemptible-says-Alan-Duncan.html "Coverage of William Hague's personal life is "contemptible" says Alan Duncan".] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110124024141/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/william-hague/7981529/Coverage-of-William-Hagues-personal-life-is-contemptible-says-Alan-Duncan.html |date=24 January 2011 }} ''The Daily Telegraph''. 4 September 2010. Retrieved 4 September 2010.</ref>

====Israel–Palestinian conflict====
Hague was criticised by Israeli leaders after meeting with [[Palestinians]] who demonstrated against [[Israeli West Bank barrier|Israel's barrier]] in the West Bank. He expressed solidarity with the idea of non-violence and listened to the accounts of left-wing and Palestinian activists. [[State of Israel|Israeli]] [[Leader of the Opposition (Israel)|Opposition Leader]] [[Tzipi Livni]] condemned the statements and said:

<blockquote>The security barrier has saved lives, and its construction was necessary. The barrier has separated Israel from Palestinian cities and completely changed the reality in Israel, where citizens were exposed to terror every day.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hague: I support activism against the security barrier|url=https://www.jpost.com/international/hague-i-support-activism-against-the-security-barrier|first= Tovah |last=Lazaroff|access-date=2021-10-31|website=The Jerusalem Post &#124; JPost.com|date=3 November 2010 |language=en-US|archive-date=31 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031160742/https://www.jpost.com/international/hague-i-support-activism-against-the-security-barrier|url-status=live}}</ref></blockquote>

====2011 Middle East protests====
[[File:His Royal Highness Prince Salman Bin Abdul Aziz (7044872289).jpg|thumb|Hague meeting Saudi Defence Minister [[Salman of Saudi Arabia]] in London, 4 April 2012]]
In February 2011 security forces in the [[Bahrain]] dispersed thousands of anti-government [[2011 Bahraini uprising|protesters]] at [[Pearl Square]] in the centre of the capital, [[Manama]]. Hague informed the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] that he had stressed the need for peaceful action in dealing with the protesters: "At least three people died in the operation, with hundreds more injured. We are greatly concerned about the deaths that have occurred. I have this morning spoken to the [[Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa|Foreign Minister of Bahrain]] and [[List of ambassadors of the United Kingdom to Bahrain|HM Ambassador]] spoke last night to the Bahraini Minister of the Interior. In both cases we stressed the need for peaceful action to address the concerns of protesters, the importance of respect for the right to peaceful protest and for freedom of expression".<ref>{{Cite news|date=17 February 2011|title=Bahrain violence: UK voices concern|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-12495113|access-date=31 October 2021|archive-date=31 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031160747/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-12495113|url-status=live}}</ref>

Hague told ''[[Sky News]]'' that the use of force by the Libyan authorities during the [[2011 Libyan Civil War]] was "dreadful and horrifying" and called on the leader to respect people's human rights. A vicious crackdown led by special forces, foreign mercenaries and [[Muammar Gaddafi]] loyalists was launched in the country's second city [[Benghazi]], which has been the focus of anti-regime protests. Hague stated to [[Dermot Murnaghan]] on ''Sky'': "I think we have to increase the international pressure and condemnation. The United Kingdom condemns what the Libyan Government has been doing and how they have responded to these protests, and we look to other countries to do the same".<ref>[http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Libyan-Violence-Against-Protesters-Foreign-Secretary-William-Hague-Slams-Authorities-Use-Of-Force/Article/201102315937304?lpos=World_News_Top_Stories_Header_1&lid=ARTICLE_15937304_Libyan_Violence_Against_Protesters%3A_Foreign_Secretary_William_Hague_Slams_Authorities_Use_Of_Force "Hague Condemns 'Horrifying' Libyan Violence".] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110427122911/http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Libyan-Violence-Against-Protesters-Foreign-Secretary-William-Hague-Slams-Authorities-Use-Of-Force/Article/201102315937304?lpos=World_News_Top_Stories_Header_1&lid=ARTICLE_15937304_Libyan_Violence_Against_Protesters%3A_Foreign_Secretary_William_Hague_Slams_Authorities_Use_Of_Force |date=27 April 2011 }} BSkyB.</ref>

[[File:Tunisian Foreign Minister (7023649639).jpg|thumb|left|Foreign Secretary William Hague meeting [[Tunisia]]n [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Tunisia)|Foreign Affairs Minister]] [[Rafik Abdessalem]], 2012.]]
Following delays in extracting British citizens from Libya, a disastrous helicopter attempt to contact the protesters ending with eight [[British diplomat]]s/[[Special Air Service|SAS]] arrested and no [[aircraft carriers]] or [[Harrier jump jet|Harriers]] to enforce a [[no-fly zone]] he was accused, by the Labour Opposition, of "losing his [[:wikt:mojo|mojo]]" in March 2011.<ref>{{Cite news|date=13 March 2011|title=Foreign Secretary William Hague rejects quit claims|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-12725025|access-date=31 October 2021|archive-date=31 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031160741/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-12725025|url-status=live}}</ref>

In March 2011, Hague said in a speech to business leaders that the examples being set in North Africa and the Middle East will ultimately transform the relationship between governments and their populations in the region. However following the row over whether Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was being targeted by coalition forces, the Foreign Secretary stated that the Libyan people must be free to determine their own future. Hague said: "It is not for us to choose the government of Libya—that is for the Libyan people themselves. But they have a far greater chance of making that choice now than they did on Saturday, when the opposition forces were on the verge of defeat."<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8398838/William-Hague-It-is-not-for-us-to-choose-the-Libyan-government.html William Hague: 'It is not for us to choose the Libyan government'] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920122916/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8398838/William-Hague-It-is-not-for-us-to-choose-the-Libyan-government.html |date=20 September 2016 }}. ''The Daily Telegraph''. (22 March 2011).</ref>

Hague has warned that autocratic leaders including [[Robert Mugabe]], [[President of Zimbabwe]], could be shaken and even toppled by a wave of popular uprisings rippling out from North Africa. He said that recent revolts against authoritarian leaders in countries including Libya and Egypt will have a greater historic significance than the [[9/11 attacks]] on the US or the recent financial crisis. He stopped short of threatening military intervention against other dictators, but warned that they will inevitably face "judgement" for oppressing their people and suppressing democracy. Repressive African regimes will also face challenges from their populations and from the international community, Hague said: "Demands for freedom will spread, and that undemocratic governments elsewhere should take heed." He added: "Governments that use violence to stop democratic development will not earn themselves respite forever. They will pay an increasingly high price for actions which they can no longer hide from the world with ease, and will find themselves on the wrong side of history."<ref>{{Cite news|title=William Hague: 'Arab spring' could topple Robert Mugabe|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8398938/William-Hague-Arab-spring-could-topple-Robert-Mugabe.html|access-date=31 October 2021|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|first=James|last=Kirkup|date=22 March 2011 |archive-date=7 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807130158/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8398938/William-Hague-Arab-spring-could-topple-Robert-Mugabe.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:NATO Secretary General (5570935879).jpg|thumb|Hague and [[David Cameron]] speaking to [[NATO]] Secretary General [[Anders Fogh Rasmussen]] at the [[London Conference on Libya]], 29 March 2011]]

Hague, on his way to Qatar Summit in April 2011, called for intensified sanctions on the Libyan regime and for a clear statement that Gaddafi must go: "we have sent more ground strike aircraft in order to protect civilians. We do look to other countries to do the same, if necessary, over time". "We would like a continued increase in our (NATO's) capability to protect civilians in Libya", he added. Whether [[NATO]] ratcheted up operations depended on what happened on the ground, Hague said. "These air strikes are a response to movements of, or attacks from, regime forces so what happens will be dependent on that", he said. Whether the Americans could again be asked to step up their role would also "depend on the circumstances", he added.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Libya: William Hague calls on more powerful strike force|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8447618/Libya-William-Hague-calls-on-more-powerful-strike-force.html|access-date=31 October 2021|website=The Daily Telegraph|date=12 April 2011 |archive-date=31 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831184714/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/libya/8447618/Libya-William-Hague-calls-on-more-powerful-strike-force.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Hague, speaking on the [[Syrian civil war|protests in Syria]], said: "Political reforms should be brought forward and implemented without delay." It is thought as many as 60 people were killed by security forces in the country on 22 April 2011, making it the worst day for deaths since protests against President [[Bashar al-Assad]] began over a month prior, reported BBC News.<ref>[http://www.uknetguide.co.uk/Latest-News/William-Hague-extremely-concerned-at-Syria-violence-800510404.html William Hague 'extremely concerned at Syria violence'] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130813042834/http://www.uknetguide.co.uk/Latest-News/William-Hague-extremely-concerned-at-Syria-violence-800510404.html |date=13 August 2013 }}. Uknetguide.co.uk (22 April 2011).</ref>

====Syria====
{{Over-quotation|section|date=May 2024}}
Speaking on the [[Syrian civil war]], in August 2011, Hague said of military intervention: "It's not a remote possibility. Even if we were in favour [of UN-backed military action], which we are not because there's no call from the Arab League for intervention as in the case of Libya, there is no prospect of a legal, morally sanctioned military intervention. Hague added that it was a "frustrating situation" and that the "levers" at the international community's disposal were severely limited but said countries had to concentrate on other ways of influencing the Assad government. "We want to see stronger international pressure all round. Of course, to be effective that just can't be pressure from Western nations, that includes from Arab nations... and it includes from Turkey who has been very active in trying to persuade President Assad to reform instead of embarking on these appalling actions", he said. "I would also like to see a [[United Nations Security Council resolution]] to condemn this violence, to call for the release of political prisoners, to call for legitimate grievances to be responded to", he added.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Syria: William Hague says no possiblity &#91;sic&#93; of military intervention|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/8674396/Syria-William-Hague-says-no-possiblity-of-military-intervention.html|access-date=31 October 2021|website=The Daily Telegraph|date=August 2011 |archive-date=19 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019011813/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/8674396/Syria-William-Hague-says-no-possiblity-of-military-intervention.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

During 2012, the UK started training Syrian opposition activists in [[Istanbul]] on media, civil society and local government matters, and supplying non-lethal equipment such as satellite communications and computers.<ref name=telegraph-20120826>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9500503/Britain-and-US-plan-a-Syrian-revolution-from-an-innocuous-office-block-in-Istanbul.html |title=Britain and US plan a Syrian revolution from an innocuous office block in Istanbul |last=McElroy |first=Damien |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=26 August 2012 |access-date=23 February 2018 |archive-date=24 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224053221/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9500503/Britain-and-US-plan-a-Syrian-revolution-from-an-innocuous-office-block-in-Istanbul.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=foreignpolicy-20121010>{{cite news |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2012/10/10/holding-civil-society-workshops-while-syria-burns/ |title=Holding Civil Society Workshops While Syria Burns |last=Vela |first=Justin |newspaper=Foreign Policy |date=10 October 2012 |access-date=23 February 2018 |archive-date=24 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224112840/http://foreignpolicy.com/2012/10/10/holding-civil-society-workshops-while-syria-burns/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 24 February 2012, Hague recognised the [[Syrian National Council]] as a "legitimate representative" of the country. Hague also said [[Bashar al-Assad]]'s government had "forfeited the right to lead" by "miring itself in the blood of innocent people". Hague said: "Today we must show that we will not abandon the Syrian people in their darkest hour". He added that "Those responsible for the murder of entire families, the shelling of homes, the execution of detainees, the cleansing of political opponents and the torture and rape of women and children must be held to account", he said.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17157497|publisher=BBC|title=UK boosts Syria opposition ties, William Hague reveals|date=24 February 2012|access-date=20 June 2018|archive-date=2 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202192337/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17157497|url-status=live}}</ref>

In March 2012, Hague ordered the evacuation of all British diplomats from [[Syria]] and closed the UK embassy in Damascus because of mounting security threats. Hague told Parliament: "We have maintained an embassy in [[Damascus]] despite the violence to help us communicate with all parties in Syria and to provide insight into the situation on the ground". He added: "We now judge that the deterioration of the security situation in Damascus puts our embassy staff and premises at risk." Hague said that his decision "in no way reduces the UK's commitment to active diplomacy to maintain pressure on the Assad regime to end the violence". He went on to say that: "We will continue to work closely with other nations to co-ordinate diplomatic and economic pressure on the Syrian regime."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9117522/William-Hague-orders-evacuation-of-all-British-diplomats-from-Syria.html |location=London |work=The Daily Telegraph |first=David |last=Blair |title=William Hague orders evacuation of all British diplomats from Syria |date=2 March 2012 |access-date=2 April 2018 |archive-date=19 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019011833/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/9117522/William-Hague-orders-evacuation-of-all-British-diplomats-from-Syria.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Foreign Secretary William Hague with Sheikh Ahmad al-Assi al-Jarba, President, Syrian National Coalition of Opposition and Revolutionary Forces in London.jpg|thumb|Hague meeting [[Ahmad Jarba]], President of the [[National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces]], on 5 September 2013]]
On 1 April 2012, Hague met 74 other nations at a [[Friends of Syria Group]] conference in Istanbul, Turkey. Hague said the issue could return to the United Nations Security Council if current efforts to resolve the crisis fail. The government of President Assad has said it accepts a peace plan by the UN-Arab League envoy [[Kofi Annan]], but there has been little evidence that it is prepared to end its crackdown on the opposition. Hague accused Assad of "stalling for time" and warned that if the issue does return to the Security Council, he may no longer be able to rely on the backing of Russia and China, who blocked a previous resolution calling for him to stand down. "There isn't an unlimited period of time for this, for the Kofi Annan process to work before many of the nations here want us to go back to the UN Security Council—some of them will call for arming the opposition if there isn't progress made," Hague told the BBC. He added that "What is now being put to them is a plan from Kofi Annan supported by the whole United Nations Security Council, and this is an important point, it's supported by Russia and by China as well as by the more obvious countries—the United States, the United Kingdom, France, the Arab League and so on".<ref>[https://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5je0GXux6yEJNwOin-3xbUi_9E7iw?docId=N0050531333278291923A Hague warning for Syrian president] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402210300/https://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5je0GXux6yEJNwOin-3xbUi_9E7iw?docId=N0050531333278291923A |date=2 April 2012 }}</ref>

On 20 November 2012, Hague recognised the National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces as the "sole legitimate representative" of the Syrian people, and a credible alternative to the current Syrian Government.<ref name=bbc-20121120>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20406562 |title=Syria conflict: UK recognises opposition, says William Hague |publisher=BBC |date=20 November 2012 |access-date=1 January 2014 |archive-date=25 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125152254/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20406562 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On 29 August 2013, the [[British Parliament]] refused to ratify the [[British Government]]'s plan to participate in military strikes against the Syrian Government in the wake of a [[Ghouta chemical attack|chemical-weapons attack at Ghouta]].<ref name=telegraph-20130829>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10275158/Syria-crisis-No-to-war-blow-to-Cameron.html |title=Syria crisis: No to war, blow to Cameron |author=Robert Winnett |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=29 August 2013 |access-date=1 January 2014 |archive-date=25 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225134952/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10275158/Syria-crisis-No-to-war-blow-to-Cameron.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Hague denied suggestions that he had threatened to resign over Prime Minister David Cameron's decision to go straight to a parliamentary vote.<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 September 2013|title=William Hague denies he was set to quit over Syria vote|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/william-hague-denies-he-was-set-to-quit-over-syria-vote-8793661.html|access-date=31 October 2021|website=The Independent|language=en|archive-date=31 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031160742/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/william-hague-denies-he-was-set-to-quit-over-syria-vote-8793661.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After the vote, Hague continued to urge other governments to take action against the Syrian Government, saying "If it is decided in the various parliaments of the world that no-one will stand up to the use of chemical weapons and take any action about that, that would be a very alarming moment in the affairs of the world".<ref name=telegraph-20130908>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10294637/Syria-Hague-says-lack-of-military-action-would-be-alarming.html |title=Syria: Hague says lack of military action would be 'alarming' |author=David Blair |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=8 September 2013 |access-date=1 January 2014 |archive-date=25 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225100235/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/syria/10294637/Syria-Hague-says-lack-of-military-action-would-be-alarming.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Ultimately a negotiated agreement was reached to [[Destruction of Syria's chemical weapons|eliminate Syria's chemical weapons]].

====Proposal of elected EU presidency====
[[File:Meeting with Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova (8489868406).jpg|thumb|Hague, [[Carl Bildt]] and [[Radosław Sikorski]] meeting [[Vlad Filat]], [[Prime Minister of Moldova]], February 2013]]
In June 2011, Hague dismissed [[Tony Blair]]'s vision for an elected-head of the [[European Union]] by insisting that member states have more pressing priorities than further "constitutional tinkering". Hague made clear his view after Blair argued that a directly elected President of Europe, representing almost 400m people from 27 countries, would give the EU clear leadership and enormous authority. In an interview with ''[[The Times]]'', Blair set out the agenda that he thought a directly elected [[EU President]] should pursue, although he conceded, there was "no chance" of such a post being created "at the present time". Asked about the former Prime Minister's call for further European integration and the creation of an elected-President, Hague suggested that Blair may have been thinking of the role for himself. "I can't think who he had in mind", Hague joked, further adding on a serious note: "Elected presidents are for countries. The EU is not a country and it's not going to become a country, in my view, now or ever in the future. It is a group of countries working together".<ref>{{Cite web|date=9 June 2011|title=William Hague dismisses Tony Blair's vision of European Union presidency|url=http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/jun/09/william-hague-dismisses-tony-blair-european-union-presidency|access-date=31 October 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=4 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104141748/https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/jun/09/william-hague-dismisses-tony-blair-european-union-presidency|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Taliban talks====
In June 2011, Hague said that Britain helped initiate "distasteful" peace talks with the [[Taliban]] in Afghanistan. Hague made the comments while on a three-day tour of the country to meet President [[Hamid Karzai]] and visited [[British troops]]. He told ''The Sun'' newspaper that Britain had led the way in persuading US [[Presidency of Barack Obama|President Barack Obama's administration]] that negotiation was the best potential solution to the conflict. Hague admitted that any deal might mean accepting "distasteful things" and could anger military veterans and relatives of the 374 British troops killed in Afghanistan. However, he said he believed that Britain as a whole was "realistic and practical" enough to accept that ending fighting and starting talks was the best way to safeguard national security. He told the newspaper: "An eventual settlement of these issues is the ultimate and most desirable way of safeguarding that national security." He added, "but reconciliation with people who have been in a military conflict can be very distasteful. In all these types of situations, you do have to face up to some distasteful things." The previous night US President [[Barack Obama]] told Americans that "the tide of war is receding" as he announced plans to withdraw 33,000 US troops from Afghanistan by September 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|title=William Hague: Talks with Taliban 'distasteful'|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/onthefrontline/8593481/William-Hague-Talks-with-Taliban-distasteful.html|access-date=31 October 2021|website=The Daily Telegraph|date=23 June 2011 |archive-date=23 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723094139/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/onthefrontline/8593481/William-Hague-Talks-with-Taliban-distasteful.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Comments on the Euro====
In September 2011, Hague said that the [[Euro]] is "a burning building with no exits" for some of the countries which adopted the currency. Hague first used the expression when he was Conservative Leader in 1998—and said in an interview with ''The Spectator'' he had been proved right: "It was folly to create this system. It will be written about for centuries as a kind of historical monument to collective folly. But it's there and we have to deal with it," he said. "I described the Euro as a burning building with no exits and so it has proved for some of the countries in it," he further said, adding "I might take the analogy too far but the Euro wasn't built with exits so it is very difficult to leave it".<ref>{{Cite news|date=28 September 2011|title=William Hague: Euro is a burning building|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-15098567|access-date=31 October 2021|archive-date=31 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211031160741/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-15098567|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Iran====
In February 2012, Hague warned in a BBC interview about [[Iran]]'s "increasing willingness to contemplate" terrorism around the world. He cited the [[2011 Iran assassination plot]], an attempt to assassinate [[Adel al-Jubeir]], the Saudi Ambassador to the United States, as well as alleged involvement in recent attacks in New Delhi, Georgia, and [[Bangkok]]. He said it showed "the danger Iran is currently presenting to the peace of the world".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/uk-politics-17089081|work=BBC News|title=Hague warns on Iran 'terrorism'|date=19 February 2012|access-date=20 June 2018|archive-date=5 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205091454/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/mobile/uk-politics-17089081|url-status=live}}</ref>

Hague spoke the Commons on 20 February about the [[nuclear program of Iran]] and said that if the Tehran regime managed to construct a viable weapon, its neighbours would be forced to build their own nuclear warheads too. He accused Iranian President [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] of pursuing "confrontational policies" and described the country's enrichment of uranium in defiance of [[United Nations Security Council]] resolutions as "a crisis coming steadily down the track". "Our policy is that whilst we remain unswervingly committed to diplomacy, it is important to emphasise to Iran that all options are on the table," Hague told MPs.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/house_of_commons/newsid_9698000/9698142.stm |work=BBC News |title=Iran debate part one |date=20 February 2012 |access-date=3 March 2012 |archive-date=3 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303135908/http://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/house_of_commons/newsid_9698000/9698142.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March he condemned the way [[2012 Iranian legislative election|parliamentary elections]] were staged, claiming they were not "free and fair". He said the poll had been held against a backdrop of fear that meant the result would not reflect the will of the people. Hague said: "It has been clear for some time that these elections would not be free and fair. "The regime has presented the vote as a test of loyalty, rather than an opportunity for people freely to choose their own representatives. The climate of fear, created by the regime's crushing of opposition voices since 2009, persists."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/world-news/hague-condemns-elections-in-iran-3038319.html |work=Irish Independent |title=Hague condemns elections in Iran |date=2 March 2012 |access-date=3 March 2012 |archive-date=3 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303120307/http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/world-news/hague-condemns-elections-in-iran-3038319.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Falkland Islands====
The 30th anniversary of the beginning of the [[Falklands War|1982 Falklands War]] was on 2 April 2012. On 29 March, before the [[Lord Mayor of London]]'s banquet guests, namely the entire foreign diplomatic corps of more than 100 ambassadors, including [[Alicia Castro]] ([[Foreign relations of Argentina|Argentinian Ambassador]]), Hague said the UK was keen to deepen its relationship with Latin America—and reiterated Britain's commitment to the Falklands. He said: "We are reversing Britain's decline in Latin America, where we are opening a new Embassy in [[El Salvador]]. This determination to deepen our relations with Latin America is coupled with our steadfast commitment to the right of self-determination of the people of the [[Falkland Islands]]".

Tensions over the Falklands had risen in the weeks prior to the anniversary. In February, Hague said deployments of a British warship, [[HMS Dauntless (D33)|HMS ''Dauntless'']] and the [[William, Prince of Wales|Duke of Cambridge]] to the Falklands were "entirely routine". Hague said that Britain affirmed the Falklanders' [[self-determination]] and would seek to prevent [[Argentina]] from "raising the diplomatic temperature" over the issue. He further said: "(the events) are not so much celebrations as commemorations. I think Argentina will also be holding commemorations of those who died in the conflict. Since both countries will be doing that I don't think there is anything provocative about that."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/southamerica/argentina/9174278/William-Hague-tells-Argentina-we-will-steadfastly-defend-Falklands.html |location=London |work=The Daily Telegraph |first=Christopher |last=Hope |title=William Hague tells Argentina 'we will steadfastly defend Falklands' |date=29 March 2012 |access-date=2 April 2018 |archive-date=12 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130812163845/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/southamerica/argentina/9174278/William-Hague-tells-Argentina-we-will-steadfastly-defend-Falklands.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Turks and Caicos Islands====
Hague set out [[Her Majesty's Government]]'s plans, on 12 June 2012, for the [[2012 Turks and Caicos Islands general election|reintroduction of self-government]] in the [[Turks and Caicos Islands]], where direct rule of the [[Governor of the Turks and Caicos Islands|Governor]] had been in place since the islands had been subject to corruption and maladministration under the previous autonomous administration.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-statement-announces-elections-in-the-turks-and-caicos-islands|title=Announcement: Foreign Secretary statement announces elections in the Turks and Caicos Islands|website=gov.uk|date=12 June 2012|access-date=3 December 2016|archive-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220035950/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/foreign-secretary-statement-announces-elections-in-the-turks-and-caicos-islands|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Julian Assange and right of asylum====
In August 2012, Hague declared that [[Julian Assange]], the [[WikiLeaks|WikiLeaks organisation]] founder, would not be granted [[political asylum]] by the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite news |title=Julian Assange asylum: Britain will not give safe passage, says William Hague&nbsp;– video |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/video/2012/aug/17/julian-assange-asylum-william-hague-video |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=17 August 2012 |access-date=19 August 2012 |archive-date=31 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231203412/http://www.theguardian.com/media/video/2012/aug/17/julian-assange-asylum-william-hague-video |url-status=live }}</ref> Hague declared the UK's willingness to extradite Assange to the Swedish authorities who had requested his extradition; thus [[Assange v Swedish Prosecution Authority|Swedish prosecutors]], unwilling to break [[diplomatic protocol]], have deferred from interrogating Assange at the [[Embassy of Ecuador, London|Embassy of Ecuador]], London.<ref>{{Cite web|date=13 March 2015|title=Julian Assange to be questioned by Swedish prosecutors in London|url=http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/mar/13/julian-assange-wikileaks-swedish-prosecutors-london-interview|access-date=31 October 2021|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-date=6 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906150407/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/mar/13/julian-assange-wikileaks-swedish-prosecutors-london-interview|url-status=live}}</ref>

Hague confirmed the [[British Government]]'s position – that it is lawfully obliged to extradite Julian Assange. "We're disappointed by the statement by [[Ricardo Patiño|Ecuador's Foreign Minister]] today that [[Politics of Ecuador|Ecuador]] has offered political asylum to [[Julian Assange]]. Under our [[English law|Laws]], with Mr. Assange having exhausted all options of appeal, the British authorities are under a binding obligation to extradite him to [[Sweden]]. We must carry out that obligation and of course we fully intend to do so," Hague confirmed.

Following ''The Guardian'' newspaper outcry over a [[Foreign Office]] note sanctioned by Hague sent to the [[Diplomatic mission|Ecuadorian Embassy]]—in which it raised the possibility of the revocation of their diplomatic status under the [[Diplomatic and Consular Premises Act 1987]]—the Foreign Secretary reaffirmed the UK remained "committed to a diplomatic solution" and played down any suggestion of a police raid of the Ecuadorian Embassy, stating "there is no threat here to storm an embassy".<ref>{{cite news |title=Hague ignored lawyers to send Assange 'threat' note |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/hague-ignored-lawyers-to-send-assange-threat-note-8060061.html |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |date=19 August 2012 |access-date=18 September 2017 |archive-date=18 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018062735/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/hague-ignored-lawyers-to-send-assange-threat-note-8060061.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=William Hague says there is 'no threat' to storm Ecuadorian embassy |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9481405/William-Hague-says-there-is-no-threat-to-storm-Ecuadorian-embassy.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818025053/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9481405/William-Hague-says-there-is-no-threat-to-storm-Ecuadorian-embassy.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 August 2012 |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |date=16 August 2012 |access-date=19 August 2012}}</ref>

The former ambassador to Uzbekistan, [[Craig Murray]],<ref>{{cite news|last=Greenberg|first=Andy|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2012/08/16/as-ecuadorean-grants-assange-asylum-former-uk-ambassador-says-embassy-raid-is-coming/|title=As Ecuador Grants Assange Asylum, Former UK Ambassador Says Embassy Raid Is Coming|work=Forbes|date=16 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160414060734/http://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2012/08/16/as-ecuadorean-grants-assange-asylum-former-uk-ambassador-says-embassy-raid-is-coming/|archive-date=14 April 2016}}</ref> warned that using the 1987 Act to raid the Ecuadorian Embassy would be in "breach of the Vienna Convention of 1961". [[Vladimir Putin|Russia]] warned Britain against violating fundamental diplomatic principles ([[Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations]], and in particular the [[Vienna Convention on Consular Relations|Article 22]] spelling out the inviolability of diplomatic premises),<ref>[http://www.france24.com/en/20120817-russia-issues-warning-britain-over-assange "Russia issues warning to Britain over Assange"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020203029/http://www.france24.com/en/20120817-russia-issues-warning-britain-over-assange |date=20 October 2012 }}</ref> which the [[Government of Ecuador]] invoked.<ref>{{in lang|es}} [http://www.mmrree.gob.ec/2012/com042.asp "Declaración del Gobierno de la República del Ecuador sobre la solicitud de asilo de Julian Assange"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120817230534/http://www.mmrree.gob.ec/2012/com042.asp |date=20120816130553 }}</ref>

Hague is the subject of a portrait in [[oil painting|oil]] commissioned by [[Parliament of the United Kingdom|Parliament]].<ref name="Murphy">{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/exclusive-mps-splash-out-250000-of-public-money-on-vanity-portraits-9056130.html|title=Exclusive: MPs splash out £250,000 of public money on vanity portraits|last=Murphy|first=Joe|date=13 January 2014|work=[[Evening Standard]]|access-date=13 January 2014|archive-date=8 November 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108113041/https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/mps-spend-ps250-000-of-public-money-on-vanity-portraits-9056130.html|url-status=live}}</ref>