Theresa May has "got her work cut out" in trying to deal with the fallout of Brexit and stabilising the UK, according to Kevin Rudd.
The former Australian prime minister believes Mrs May's response has been sensible but warned the consequences of the decision by British voters to back Leave have 'not been good' for the world.
He added Europe is also facing a very arduous set of challenges, including to its role as a key player in global economics and security.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Rudd said of Brexit: "I'm a friend of the UK, have been throughout my life. The British people have spoken.
"The geo-political consequences, the geo-economic consequences for the world have not been good, let's be blunt about that.
"But in terms of what the British PM is now doing, I think that she is charting a sensible course of action to try and find a way through which stabilises this for Britain and stabilises it for the rest of the world.
"But I've got to say this is a very arduous set of challenges which have been presented to Europe.
"What is at stake here also is Europe's broader significance as a player in the global economic and global security debate - and Britain minus Europe is a problem.
"Will this stabilise? Will Theresa May find the way through? I hope so. As a friend of the UK I hope so, but by God she's got her work cut out for her."
