Editing William Hague (section)

====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>