Miliband is new foreign secretary

Mr Miliband was a policy advisor when Labour was elected in 1997

David Miliband has become UK foreign secretary in new Prime Minister Gordon Brown's first Cabinet.

At 41 years old, he is the youngest person in the post since Dr David Owen had the job 30 years ago.

Mr Miliband has spent the past year as environment secretary but did not stand to be Labour's leader or deputy leader, despite being tipped to do so.

He said he was "honoured and delighted" and described the Foreign Office as "a unique global asset for Britain".

His brother Ed has also been appointed to the Cabinet as minister for the Cabinet Office and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.

The pair left 10 Downing Street together after attending Mr Brown's first Cabinet meeting as prime minister.

A 'better world'

"The opportunities and challenges of the modern world require, in my view, a diplomacy that is patient as well as purposeful, which listens as well as leads," David Miliband said on his arrival at the Foreign Office.

I want to ensure it's deployed to maximum effect to help build the better Britain, and the better world, that Gordon Brown has laid out so convincingly David Miliband on his plans for the Foreign Office Profile: David Miliband

"Those are the virtues that I will be trying to bring to bear in my leadership of the Foreign Office."

He went on: "I believe that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is a unique global asset for Britain.

"I want to ensure it's deployed to maximum effect to help build the better Britain, and the better world, that Gordon Brown has laid out so convincingly."

Mr Miliband, the MP for South Shields since 2001, is considered as one of the more intellectual figures in the government.

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He began working in Labour's policy unit before the party's election in 1997 and was brought into the Cabinet two years ago.

He was minister of communities and local government for 12 months before his appointment as environment secretary.

He replaces Margaret Beckett, who had been foreign secretary since May 2006.