Kerry in London to start first official tour

LONDON (AFP) - New United States (US) Secretary of State John Kerry landed in London on Sunday to start his first official trip, a marathon get-acquainted tour of close allies in Europe and the Middle East.

Mr Kerry will meet with British Prime Minister David Cameron and Foreign Secretary William Hague on Monday before visiting Germany, France, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

He is expected to address issues including Syria, Mali and North Korea.

Mr Kerry's decision to make his first trip to Europe, unlike predecessor Hillary Clinton who chose to tour countries in Asia and the Pacific, sends a strong signal to America's closest European partners, said a senior State Department official.