“A wide range of issues including key regional issues that are of interest to both sides, will be topping the agenda of discussions between King Abdullah and British Prime Minister Cameron,” said a reliable source on condition of anonymity.
He said the visit will provide an opportunity for bilateral consultations keeping in view the fact that the breadth and depth of Britain’s relationship with the Kingdom continues to increase.
The UK, which has its interests in Middle East countries currently facing political unrest, will seek Saudi support to ensure peace and stability, said the source.
An SPA report published Thursday confirmed the visit of Cameron to Riyadh. It was not immediately known as to how long the visit will last. British Embassy officials contacted by Arab News on Thursday refused to divulge details of the prime minister's visit and said that they will be in a position to speak to the press on Friday only.
The visit of Cameron is significant especially in view of Britain's involvement in the region. The British prime minster was the first among the foreign leaders to visit post-revolutionary Libya recently. Cameron was the first leader to visit Egypt after the fall of Hosni Mubarak in order to demonstrate Britain’s support for the transition. The UK is a close friend of Egypt and there has been sustained high-level engagement between the two countries.
The visit of Cameron also follows the visit to British troops in Afghanistan last week. His visit to Saudi Arabia comes amid escalating tension between neighboring Iran and the international community over Tehran's nuclear program after the West threatened to impose sanctions on the Islamic republic's oil exports. Tehran has in turn threatened to shut the strategic Strait of Hormuz — a chokepoint for a fifth of the world's oil — if it is attacked or if heavy sanctions are imposed.
The UK and Saudi Arabia have long been close allies. There are more than 150 joint ventures between British and Saudi companies and some 30,000 British nationals live and work in Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia is the United Kingdom's primary trading partner in the Middle East. The UK has an embassy in Riyadh, consulate in Jeddah and trade office in Alkhobar. Saudi Arabia has an embassy and consulate in London..
