(260401) -- LONDON, April 1, 2026 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) meets with visiting Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa at 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, March 31, 2026. According to a statement released by the British government, the two leaders exchanged views on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and underscored the importance of preventing further escalation and restoring regional stability.
They also discussed the need for a workable plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid the economic impact of its prolonged closure and agreed to work with other parties to help restore freedom of navigation. The Strait had served as a shipping route for 20 percent of the world's oil. (Lauren Hurley/No. 10 Downing Street/Handout via Xinhua)
