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John Kerry in London for talks with David Cameron and William Hague John Kerry in London for talks with David Cameron and William Hague
(35 minutes later)
John Kerry has met the UK's prime minister, David Cameron, in London, as part of his first trip abroad as US secretary of state.John Kerry has met the UK's prime minister, David Cameron, in London, as part of his first trip abroad as US secretary of state.
It is the first stop on his tour, which will take in Europe's main capitals, Turkey and the Middle East. Syria was high on the agenda but next month's referendum on whether the Falklands should stay British did not come up, said Mr Cameron's spokesman.
Syria will be high on the agenda, and Mr Kerry is also expected to talk about next month's referendum on whether the Falklands should stay British. Mr Kerry, who succeeded Hillary Clinton, is on an 11-day tour of Europe and the Middle East.
The US has said it is up to Britain and Argentina to work out a resolution. They agreed on "the importance of restarting a viable peace process".
Mr Kerry, who succeeded Hillary Clinton as US secretary of state earlier this month, arrived in London on Sunday night. The Downing Street spokesman said Mr Cameron and Mr Kerry "reiterated their shared determination to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran" and discussed "the challenges posed by fragile states around the world".
He is now meeting British foreign secretary William Hague, having already held talks with Mr Cameron. He is also meeting British foreign secretary William Hague at the Foreign Office.
Falklands dispute The prime minister's spokesman said Mr Kerry did not ask about Britain's possible future exit from the European Union but they did discuss a free trade agreement between the US and the EU and the possibility of taking the progress forward at the next G8 summit in Northern Ireland in June.
The secretary of state embarked on his first foreign trip in his new role bright and early on Sunday, with the state department press corps in tow. In all, Mr Kerry will visit nine countries, stopping off in Paris, Rome, Ankara, Cairo, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi and Doha.
With the mood on the plane being almost like the first day of school - new faces, new guy in charge - we flew across the Atlantic Ocean towards our first stop in London. BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall said: "What is clear is that the British government is pretty pleased that the US secretary of state decided that his first port of call on this his first major trip abroad should be Britain, he then goes on to European capitals...and it is in marked contrast with the last secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, who...rather pointedly went to Asia first."
Mr Kerry made a few appearances in the packed press section. Towering over us, the 6'4" (1.93m) secretary shared some laughs and seemed at ease as he chit-chatted with some of the people who will be his shadow for the next few years.
While he is not likely to travel as much as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Mr Kerry has an intense itinerary ahead of him this week - nine cities spanning Europe and the Middle East in 11 days.
Mr Kerry is expected to be asked about the US administration's views on Britain's dispute with Argentina over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.
A senior State Department official told the BBC there is currently no change in the US position - the US recognises the UK's control of the islands but takes no position on sovereignty.
BBC world affairs correspondent Naomi Grimley says the Foreign Office is flattered Mr Kerry's first destination is London, especially as President Barack Obama seemed more attentive to Asia than to Europe in his first term.
In all, Mr Kerry will visit nine countries, including France, Turkey and Egypt on his first tour abroad.
In Berlin he will meet Syrian opposition members and representatives of nations supporting them.In Berlin he will meet Syrian opposition members and representatives of nations supporting them.
Mr Kerry has said he plans to use the trip to propose ideas on persuading Syria's President Bashar al-Assad to step aside.Mr Kerry has said he plans to use the trip to propose ideas on persuading Syria's President Bashar al-Assad to step aside.
His schedule will see him meet foreign ministers and leaders in European capitals including Paris, Rome and Ankara before a tour of Middle Eastern cities including Cairo, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh.
Though the Middle East peace process will be on the agenda when he visits Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Mr Kerry will not visit Israel or the Palestinian Territories.Though the Middle East peace process will be on the agenda when he visits Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Mr Kerry will not visit Israel or the Palestinian Territories.
However, our correspondent says Mr Hague is hopeful his visit will herald a new enthusiasm for the peace process.However, our correspondent says Mr Hague is hopeful his visit will herald a new enthusiasm for the peace process.
She says: "Mr Hague would like to see a renewed effort from the US to engage the different parties around the negotiating table."She says: "Mr Hague would like to see a renewed effort from the US to engage the different parties around the negotiating table."
Mr Kerry, former Massachusetts senator and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, has spent almost three decades in the US Senate as a member of the Foreign Relations Committee.Mr Kerry, former Massachusetts senator and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, has spent almost three decades in the US Senate as a member of the Foreign Relations Committee.
His visit comes as Palestinians demonstrate in the West Bank following the death in an Israeli jail of a 30-year-old man.
Palestinians say Arafat Jaradat, 30, died from torture, while Israel says a post-mortem was inconclusive and that investigations into his death continue.