Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Defence Secretary John Healey are in Qatar to press for de-escalation in the Middle East.

Both are set to meet the Emir of Qatar, HH Sheikh Amir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, along with other leaders.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “Escalation and destabilisation are in no one’s interests.

“It is absolutely vital that we engage closely with partners like Qatar, who play a key role in mediating the conflict in Gaza, so that we can bring this devastating war to an end.

“The UK and Qatar have a long-standing and close partnership, and we will also look to build lasting stability and security in the region, and advance our shared priorities, like deepening economic ties, to drive UK growth and seize the opportunities of the clean energy transition.”

Defence Secretary John Healey said: “De-escalation must be our primary focus as this region stands at a crossroads. The loss of innocent life in recent weeks and months is unbearable. This has to end.

“All sides must step back from conflict and step-up diplomacy. We will work with important partners like Qatar as our government leads a renewed push for peace.”

The visit comes in the immediate aftermath of an Israeli strike on Hezbollah’s Fuad Shukr in Beirut and the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran which Israel has not taken responsibility for.

In Parliament yesterday, Lammy condemned Hezbollah’s strike which killed 12 children in a football pitch in the Golan town of Majdal Shams.

He also urged British nationals in Lebanon to “leave”.

Qatar, which hosts Hamas’s leadership, condemned the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, who had been residing in the Kingdom since 2019, as “a henious crime, a dangerous escalation and a blatant violation of international and humanitarian law.”

Despite its diplomatic links to Hamas, it was designated a “major non-Nato ally” by US President Joe Biden in 2022.

It is also a major purchaser of British weapons and according to the Guardian bought £2.7 billion worth of equipment in 2022.