Saudi defense minister meets UK PM, defense minister in London

The UK’s Secretary of State for Defense Grant Shapps welcomed Prince Khalid at a formal reception at Lancaster House in London. (SPA)
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Updated 22 December 2023
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Saudi defense minister meets UK PM, defense minister in London

LONDON: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman met UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Friday during a visit to London.

“I had the honor of conveying the greetings of the Kingdom’s leadership,” Prince Khalid tweeted after the meeting

During the meeting, the sides reviewed the strategic relationship between the two countries as well as regional and international developments, he said.

The meeting came under the direction of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he added.

Also present were the Kingdom’s Ambassador to the UK Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan and Director-General of the Office of the Minister of Defense Hisham bin Abdulaziz bin Saif.

The UK’s Secretary of State for Defense Grant Shapps welcomed Prince Khalid at a formal reception at Lancaster House in London on Thursday.

 

 

The visit took place as part of the prince’s official visit to Britain, and the reception ceremony featured a ceremonial review of the guard of honor.

The two sides held an extensive meeting, and they were joined by representatives from both ministries.

The meeting looked at the strategic partnership between the UK and the Kingdom, and explored avenues for bilateral cooperation and ways to enhance military and defense collaboration to serve mutual interests.


‘Kingdom is on a path toward the light,’ says US Senator Graham after meeting Prince Khalid bin Salman

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‘Kingdom is on a path toward the light,’ says US Senator Graham after meeting Prince Khalid bin Salman

DUBAI: US Senator Lindsey Graham believes Saudi Arabia is on ‘a path toward the light’, in a statement he issued after meeting with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, who is on an official visit to Washington.

“My engagement with Saudi Arabia over the past two days has given me a sense of confidence that the Kingdom – while it has its own interests – is on a path toward the light, not the darkness,” the senator said in his statement.

The senator also said he was looking forward to visiting Saudi Arabia soon.

 

 

“Over the years, I have developed a strong working relationship with Saudi Arabia. I know President Trump is a strong admirer of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. I have seen the changes the Crown Prince has embraced and I have been impressed,” Graham said.

The US senator added that after meeting with Prince Khalid, and Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan earlier, “I am convinced that Saudi Arabia believes the best thing for the region is economic growth and prosperity.”

“Saudi Arabia wants to be a destination of choice in the future, so that people around the world to come visit what I think is an incredible country. Saudi Arabia wants to be one of the dominant forces in Al, which means the best and brightest minds will come. I am convinced that this is still the goal of the Crown Prince and the Kingdom.”

Graham also expressed appreciation to what the Kingdom was trying to do in Syria.

“They have openly said they are the friend of both the Syrian government and the Kurdish people. The attitude of seeking compromise rather than destruction, hopefully, will win the day,” the senator said in his statement.

Prince Khalid is expected to discuss Saudi-US ties and ways to strengthen during his visit, and earlier met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff.