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British PM unveils new Cabinet

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown chose his senior circle of ministers yesterday, tapping 41-year-old David Miliband to become the youngest foreign secretary in decades -- a rising star in the party who voiced doubts over former prime minister Tony Blair's foreign policy.

Miliband, the 41-year-old former environment chief, said he supported an agenda that was "patient as well as purposeful."

But some old hands did win senior posts: Alistair Darling, the current trade and industry secretary -- and another Scotsman -- was named new Treasury chief.

Miliband was pressed by some Blair loyalists to run against Brown and force a vote among party members to pick Blair's successor, but chose to back the new leader.

Miliband pushed Blair, along with Jack Straw -- appointed new justice secretary and lord chancellor -- to take a tougher line with Israel over last year's conflict in Lebanon.

The legislator is said to have also expressed doubts over the Iraq war, though he voted for military action in 2003.

"The opportunities and challenges of the modern world requires in my view a diplomacy that is patient as well as purposeful -- which listens as well as leads -- and those are the virtues that I will be trying to bring to bear in my leadership of the Foreign Office," Miliband told reporters.

Appointing Miliband, who spoke out against Blair's foreign policy moves may help Brown win back the trust of voters who opposed the US-led Iraq war.

Straw's new post overseeing justice will also include constitutional affairs, Downing Street said.

Also see story:
What does the new Labour Party prime minister have to offer?

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