SIR Keir Starmer today refused to back a Nobel Peace Prize for Donald Trump.
The PM acknowledged that a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas “would not have happened without” the US President.
GettyIn Mumbai Sir Keir Starmer refuses to back Donald Trump’s bid for a Nobel Peace Prize[/caption]
AFPA billboard displays an image of US President Donald Trump with a message thanking him for reaching a ceasefire deal in Gaza, on the side of a building in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square[/caption]
AFPDonald Trump has been praised by world leaders for securing a deal to end the war[/caption]
But when asked if Mr Trump deserved the global honour for his diplomatic breakthrough, Sir Keir said he was focused “on ensuring that we move onto the next stage and make a success of this”.
Speaking on the final day of his trip to India, the PM said: “What matters now is to press on and implement this.
“All parties need to implement, agree and take forward the commitments they’ve made to the next stage. That is hugely important.
“My focus now is moving this from the stage it’s at now, which is really welcome — strongly welcome — to ensuring that we now move on to the next stage and make a success of this.”
The Israeli Hostages’ Families Forum has urged the Nobel Committee to recognise the US President for his efforts, writing to them on Monday.
In Washington, Mr Trump made clear he’d accept the honour, declaring: “We’ve settled seven wars and we’re close to settling an eighth.”
But he added: “Perhaps they’ll find a reason not to give it to me.”
Sir Keir told reporters in Mumbai that with news of the deal, he was thinking “particularly of the hostages who have been held a very long time, and their families”.
He also said the agreement brought hope “to all the civilians in Gaza who’ve been so affected by this conflict”.
The PM brushed aside questions on whether Labour’s former leader, Sir Tony Blair, should have a major role in post-war Gaza governance.
Under Mr Trump’s 20-point plan, Sir Tony would serve on an international transition body overseeing the territory’s political and operational future.
The PM said: “I’m less interested, to be perfectly frank, in discussions about personnel than I am getting it implemented.”
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