Saudi Defense Minister Receives British Security Official

Asharq Al-Awsat Photo: SPA Saudi Press Agency (SPA)07.12.2016 KSA
Saudi Defense Minister Receives British Security Official

Saudi Defense Minister Receives British Security Official

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Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Second Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense met in Riyadh on Monday with the United Kingdom National Security Deputy Advisor John Jenkins, currently on a visit to the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

During the reception, they discussed bilateral relations, aspects of existing cooperation and means to promote them, in various domains, in addition to exchanging of views over local, regional and international issues, as well.

Meanwhile, Deputy Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz received a verbal message from British Prime Minister Theresa May.

The message was conveyed to the Deputy Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques by British Deputy Advisor for National Security John Jenkins during an audience in Riyadh Monday.

During the meeting, ways of enhancing cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Britain in all fields in addition to the latest developments in the region were discussed.

The audience was attended by General Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al-Huwaireni, Director General of Public Investigations; Khalid bin Ali Al-Hamdan, Chief of General Intelligence and Ambassador of Britain to the Kingdom Simon Collis.

It’s worth noting that, last month, UK Foreign Minister Boris Johnson and three other British Cabinet Ministers have refused to cease military support to Saudi Arabia, reported London-based Asharq Al-Awsat.

The refusal goes in defiance of two parliamentary committees that have called for the UK to stop the selling of arms to the Kingdom.

Johnson, as well as Defense Secretary Michael Fallon, Development Secretary Priti Patel, and Trade Secretary Liam Fox, all pledged to continue the selling of arms to the Gulf country.

The statement the Ministers issued explained that they are “confident in its robust case-by-case assessment” and satisfied that arms sales to Saudi Arabia are compliant with the UK’s export licensing rules.

“We continue to assess export license applications for Saudi Arabia on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria, taking account of all relevant factors at the time of the application.”

“The key test for our continued arms exports is whether there is a clear risk that those exports might be used in a commission of a serious violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL).”

“A license will not be issued for any country, including Saudi Arabia, if to do so would be inconsistent with any provision of the mandatory Criteria, including where we assess there is a clear risk that the items might be used in the commission of a serious violation of IHL,” the statement added.

 



 
 

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