Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May is scrambling to persuade allies to respond to Russia's poisoning of a former spy in Salisbury. Neil Hall / Reuters
Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May is scrambling to persuade allies to respond to Russia's poisoning of a former spy in Salisbury. Neil Hall / Reuters

UK prime minister reaffirms support for Saudi Arabia



The UK prime minister Theresa May spoke to King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia earlier this evening.

She welcomed the decision by the Saudi-led Coalition to reopen the Yemeni port of Hodeidah.

Mrs May strongly condemned yesterday’s attempted missile attack on the Yamama Palace in Riyadh.

“[Mrs May] welcomed the restraint shown by Saudi Arabia in the face of unacceptable Houthi aggression” said Downing Street spokesperson.

She reiterated the UK’s ongoing commitment to Saudi Arabia’s security and their determination to push for stronger action through the UN to expose and counter Iran’s destabilising activity in the region and to find a political solution to the conflict in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia’s King Salman also received a telephone call from US President Donald Trump.

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Mr Trump condemned the attempt by the Houthi militias to target the city of Riyadh with a ballistic missile.

The two leaders went on to discuss the measures needed to implement United Nations Security Council resolutions that hold the Iranian regime accountable for its actions in the region and their supply of missiles to the Houthi militia, as well as the need to support all relief and humanitarian operations in order to alleviate the suffering of Yemeni people.

Today, UK staff have arrived in the Saudi Arabia to assist with the UN inspection process in a bid to help to speed up the distribution of humanitarian and commercial supplies.

The Saudi Press Agency reported that Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior, received the ambassador of the United Kingdom to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Simon Collis today.

During the meeting, they reviewed aspects of cooperation between the two friendly countries. They also discussed issues of common interest.

The meeting was attended by a number of officials.

The Crown Prince will visit the UK in the New Year.