OAN’s Elizabeth Bolbelding
6:18pm – Monday, March 18, 2024
Former US President Barack Obama stopped by 10 Downing Street to attend a “private” meeting with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Downing Street officials said.
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On Monday, Mr Obama and Mr Sunak met together in Downing Street, leaving many confused and scratching their heads.
The former Democratic president, who served as president from 2009 to 2017, waved to reporters before entering Downing Street for an “unspecified private meeting” at 3pm.
Downing Street sources said the former president’s visit to London included an “informal, casual courtesy stop”.
Another Downing Street official told the media that Mr Obama and Mr Sunak met on Monday afternoon and discussed a wide range of topics including “international relations” and “artificial intelligence”.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “President Obama’s team got in touch and clearly the Prime Minister was very pleased to meet with him and discuss the work of the Obama Foundation.”
President Obama departed about an hour after his meeting with Sunak.
Shortly after 4 p.m., President Obama returned to public life and responded that he was “tempted” and expressed his desire to speak with reporters. He was accompanied by the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Jane D. Hartley.
A spokesperson for the former president and first lady Michelle Obama insisted the meeting was related to the nonprofit Barack Obama Foundation and was also because the two wanted to vacation in London.
The foundation’s somewhat vague mission statement reads, “Our mission: To inspire, empower, and connect people to change the world.”
by Associated PressPresident Obama visited Downing Street many times throughout his two terms as president, and even met with former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown during a campaign in 2008.
President Obama’s most recent visit to Downing Street took place in April 2016, before the Brexit vote.
according to Politico EUDuring his visit, President Obama said that if Britain leaves the European Union, it will be “back-burner” in trade negotiations with the United States.
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