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03-08-2018, 02:52 PM
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May defends Saudi ties as crown prince gets royal welcome in London
LONDON: Prime Minister Theresa May defended Britain´s links to defence and security ally Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, as Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman met Britain´s Queen Elizabeth for lunch at the start of a high profile visit to London.
A fiery exchange in parliament between May and opposition Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn underlined tension in Britain over prince Mohammed´s trip, which is aimed at building a broader economic partnership between the two countries, but has sparked protests about human rights and war in Yemen. "The link that we have with Saudi Arabia is historic, it is an important one, and it has saved the lives of potentially hundreds of people in this country," May said, pausing her answer briefly as opposition lawmakers cried "Shame!". The debate took place as prince Mohammed was due to meet the British monarch on the first leg of trip packed with displays of diplomatic affection designed to help the widen long standing defence ties into a more far-reaching partnership. Both countries sense an opportunity to broaden their existing relationship: Britain is looking for trading partners as it exits the European Union, and Saudi Arabia needs to convince sceptical investors about its domestic reforms. But when prince Mohammed meets May later on Wednesday, demonstrators will be outside protesting against both countries´ roles in Yemen where war has killed an estimated 10,000 people and where 8.3 million people depend on food aid and 400,000 children have life-threatening levels of malnutrition. Foreign minister Boris Johnson led the welcoming party for prince Mohammed on his arrival late on Tuesday. Wednesday´s first official engagement was a trip to Buckingham Palace for talks and a meal with the British monarch, a rare honour usually reserved for heads of state. The Saudi delegation will meet May and senior ministers inside May´s Downing Street offices to launch a UK-Saudi "Strategic Partnership Council", an initiative to encourage Saudi Arabia´s economic reforms and foster cooperation on issues such as education and culture, as well as defence and security.Britain is vying to land the stock market listing of state oil firm Saudi Aramco, but no decision is expected this week. Later this month prince Mohammed visits the United States, which also wants the lucrative listing, although sources said both countries may miss out. British officials were privately delighted at the decision by prince Mohammed, 32, to choose Britain as the major western destination on his first foreign trip since becoming heir to the Saudi throne last year. أكثر... ??????? ??????: May defends Saudi ties as crown prince gets royal welcome in London || ??????: ahlam1399 || ??????: اسم منتداك
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