Saudi king at palace banquet
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia
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Tuesday, 30, Oct 2007 09:21
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia is attending a state banquet at Buckingham Palace during his controversial three-day state visit to the UK.
Earlier today the 83-year-old king, who presides over an absolute monarchy in Riyadh, was officially welcomed by the British monarch during a ceremony on Horse Guards Parade.
He attended a private lunch at the palace and is due to hold talks with prime minister Gordon Brown and attend a banquet at the Guildhall hosted by London mayor Ken Livingstone.
"In addition, HRH the Prince of Wales will receive the king at Clarence House and discuss activities undertaken by the Prince's charities in Saudi Arabia," a Foreign Office spokesperson said.
During a speech at tonight's banquet the Queen attempted to smooth over diplomatic tensions after King Abdullah criticised UK security forces for failing to prevent the July 7th suicide bombings of 2005.
"We… continue to work together against the terrorists who threaten our way of life in both our countries," she said, before characterising the relationship between Britain and Saudi Arabia as "one of mutual benefit, learning and understanding".
Praising his diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, she said: "We have appreciated and admired SA's role in the search for a peaceful solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, in particular your majesty's own contribution through the Arab-peace initiative. We will continue to support your efforts in the cause of peace in the region."
But the king's visit, the first by a Saudi Arabian head of state for 20 years, is attracting protests against the Middle Eastern country's poor record on human rights.
Acting Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable has vowed to boycott any talks involving King Abdullah because of this issue.
Britain's relationship with Saudi Arabia, its biggest trading partner in the Middle East and second largest foreign investor, is among its most complicated on the international stage.
Last year No 10 forced the Serious Fraud Office to abandon a probe into corruption allegations made against the country's arms deal with BAE.
Then-prime minister Tony Blair said that the investigation had to be pulled on national security grounds without elaborating.
Yesterday foreign secretary David Miliband pulled out of the 'two kingdoms dialogue' with Saudi counterpart Prince Saud al-Faisal after announcing the adoption of his second son, Jacob, with his wife Louise.