Saudi Crown Prince: Together we can spread moderate Islam

Speaking on the eve of his three-day visit to Britain, Mohammed bin Salman promoted future trade links between the countries

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will meet the British prime minister Theresa May on his three-day trip to London. AFP/SAUDI ROYAL PALACE/BANDAR AL-JALOUD

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman highlighted the similarities between religious extremists and terrorists in an interview with a British newspaper on the eve of his three-day visit to the country.

"The extremists and the terrorists are linked through spreading their agenda," the prince said in an interview in Riyadh with Con Coughlin, a columnist for The National. "We need to work together to promote moderate Islam."

"We want to fight terrorism and we want to fight extremism because we need to build stability in the Middle East," he told The Daily Telegraph. "The British and Saudi people, along with the rest of the world, will be much safer if [Britain has] a strong relationship with Saudi Arabia."

During his time in the country, the crown prince will be feted by the political and security establishments of Britain. He will meet Prime Minister Theresa May, ministers from her government and members of the royal family.

Reflecting the high-level approval of the Crown Prince's moves on defence and counter-terrorism, he will also have private meetings with the heads of both arms of the British secret services, MI6 and MI5. He will be attending a meeting of the National Security Council, an honour rarely extended to foreign rulers visiting the UK.

After speaking about the near century old links between the two countries, the Crown Prince reinforced the relationship, stating that “after Brexit there will be huge opportunities for Britain as a result of Vision 2030”.

In a further boost to the prime minister, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister also told Sky News that his country saw great opportunities for Britain following Brexit.

“We’re bullish about Britain,” Adel Al Jubeir told the news network.

When asked about whether Britain could rely on the Saudi Arabia after leaving the EU, he had few doubts.

“Without a doubt. Our countries have been allies for many, many years. Our countries have relied on each other in many areas and I don't expect this to change," he said.

"I expect this to increase and to become even stronger."