Brown Succeeds Blair As British Prime Minister
June 27, 2007
Blair (right) introducing Brown earlier last week (AFP)
of the Exchequer Gordon Brown was confirmed as Britain's new prime
minister today.
"I've just accepted the invitation of Her Majesty the Queen to form a government," Brown announced outside the prime minister's residence and office at 10 Downing Street in London.
"This will be a new government with new priorities," he added. "And I have been privileged to have been granted the great opportunity to serve my country."
Brown said there is a need for change in Britain, particularly in its health-care system and schools.
The 56-year-old Brown is expected to appoint new members to his cabinet on June 28.
Commentators suggest that British involvement in Iraq and recent allegations of government corruption over Saudi defense contracts will challenge Brown's leadership from the start.
Tony Blair tendered his resignation earlier in the day, officially ending his 10 years in power. Soon afterward, he was appointed envoy for the Middle East Quartet that mediates peace efforts between Israel and the Palestinians. The Quartet comprises the European Union, Russia, the United Nations, and the United States.
During his final prime minister's questions in parliament today, Blair said his "absolute priority" will be to try to move forward on what he said is already a consensus in the international community -- that the only way of bringing stability and peace to the Middle East is a two-state solution.
(compiled from agency reports)