British FM rejects EU role for election battle at home

(LONDON) - British Foreign Secretary David Miliband firmly ruled himself out of the race for the European Union's new foreign affairs job on Wednesday, saying he wanted to "stay and fight" an imminent election here.

"When I said in Brussels last week that I was proud to be foreign secretary in Gordon Brown's government, I meant it. When I said I was not a candidate for the post of high representative, I meant it," Miliband said.

After talks with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, Miliband said he was keen to focus on fighting the general election due by June, which opinion polls suggest his Labour party will lose to the opposition Conservatives.

"I came into politics to serve the British people in Britain," said Miliband, who has been tipped as a future Labour leader.

He added: "I am committed to Britain and I am committed to the Labour government. There will be a general election in this country within a matter of months. It is a massive choice for the country.

"And so when the choice came to me about whether to stay in Britain or leave Britain, there was only one answer: it is to stay and fight for the kind of Britain I believe in."

Miliband's name had been circulated in Brussels as a strong candidate for the job of EU high representative for foreign affairs, one of two new positions created under the Lisbon Treaty along with the new EU council president.

Britain has been pressing for former prime minister Tony Blair to be named EU council president, and although his chances appear to be dwindling, Miliband reiterated that he was an "excellent candidate".

Asked if Blair still had a chance, Miliband noted: "There are eight days left (until EU leaders decide) and eight days is a long time in politics."