Philip Hammond, who has served as Defense Secretary since 2011, replaces William Hague.

British Prime Minister David Cameron appointed Philip Hammond as foreign minister on Tuesday as he reshuffles his cabinet ahead of the 2015 general election.

“Philip Hammond is the new Foreign Secretary,” Cameron said on his official Twitter feed.

Hammond, who has served as Defense Secretary since 2011, replaces William Hague, who resigned late on Monday, Reuters reported.

Hague announced his resignation as foreign secretary to become leader of the lower house of parliament, part of a reshuffle of the Conservative-led government, according to Agence France-Presse.

“Tonight I am standing down as Foreign Secretary after four years to serve as Leader of the House of Commons,” Hague wrote on his personal Twitter account.

“I will not stand as an MP in the May 2015 General Election,” he added.

Meanwhile, Michael Fallon was named to the top defense post, moving up from being a junior minister dealing with energy, business and enterprise.

Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to reveal several other changes within his government in a reshuffle to prepare for the election.

The leader of the House of Commons is a minister who organises business in the lower house and works closely with the government’s chief whip.

British politician Kenneth Clarke, a veteran pro-EU Conservative, also resigned from his post as minister without portfolio on Monday.

 
[wpResize]