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London: British Prime Minister Rishi SunakAhead of a visit to the United States this week, he on Monday fueled speculation that he wanted NATO allies to support his Defense Secretary Ben Wallace As the next president of the alliance.
Wallace, a former captain in the British Army, is seen as the main contender to replace Jens Stoltenberg, who will retire as NATO secretary-general in October after two terms.
Reportedly, Sunak is set to personally lobby US President Joe Biden to support Wallace for the role, during a visit to Washington on Wednesday and Thursday.
The United States is the dominant power within the 31-member military alliance, and its support is crucial to whoever holds the top job.
Asked if he would push in Washington for Wallace’s appointment, Sunak did not respond directly but paid tribute to his 53-year-old fellow cabinet member.
“Ben is doing a great job. He’s a great defense secretary,” he told reporters, noting that talks about NATO’s role “are taking place between the leaders.”
He added that “Ben is widely respected among his colleagues around the world,” before detailing Britain’s prominent role within the military alliance.
Wallace has traveled widely as Secretary of Defense and enjoys an easy public relationship with American officials, having taken a prominent role in the response to the war in Ukraine.
Last month, he appeared to show interest in the NATO position, telling German news agency DPA that it was “a job I would like”.
Prime Minister of Denmark Mitt Frederiksen – who meets Biden in Washington on Monday – is also believed to be a candidate, and would become the first female head of NATO if chosen.
But the countries of Eastern Europe have never been represented in the top position, and they are pushing for one of them to take command of NATO.
Wallace, a former captain in the British Army, is seen as the main contender to replace Jens Stoltenberg, who will retire as NATO secretary-general in October after two terms.
Reportedly, Sunak is set to personally lobby US President Joe Biden to support Wallace for the role, during a visit to Washington on Wednesday and Thursday.
The United States is the dominant power within the 31-member military alliance, and its support is crucial to whoever holds the top job.
Asked if he would push in Washington for Wallace’s appointment, Sunak did not respond directly but paid tribute to his 53-year-old fellow cabinet member.
“Ben is doing a great job. He’s a great defense secretary,” he told reporters, noting that talks about NATO’s role “are taking place between the leaders.”
He added that “Ben is widely respected among his colleagues around the world,” before detailing Britain’s prominent role within the military alliance.
Wallace has traveled widely as Secretary of Defense and enjoys an easy public relationship with American officials, having taken a prominent role in the response to the war in Ukraine.
Last month, he appeared to show interest in the NATO position, telling German news agency DPA that it was “a job I would like”.
Prime Minister of Denmark Mitt Frederiksen – who meets Biden in Washington on Monday – is also believed to be a candidate, and would become the first female head of NATO if chosen.
But the countries of Eastern Europe have never been represented in the top position, and they are pushing for one of them to take command of NATO.
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