London, July 16 (RHC)-- British Prime Minister David Cameron has named Philip Hammond as the new foreign secretary in a major cabinet reshuffle. Cameron named arch-Eurosceptic Hammond as new foreign secretary on Tuesday, following the recent resignation of William Hague.

Hammond, the former defense secretary, is a supporter of Britain leaving the European Union in a referendum in 2017, unless significant powers are returned to London. Hammond is to play a vital role in talks within the EU over the future terms of British membership. He has denied that he will adopt a stridently Eurosceptic approach to the discussions.

Hague resigned on Monday and is to replace Andrew Lansley as leader of the House of Commons until he steps down from parliament in 2015.