UK raises concerns over Yemen with visiting Saudi crown prince

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British Prime Minister Theresa May will "raise deep concerns at the humanitarian situation" in war-torn Yemen with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his visit to Britain beginning Wednesday, according to her spokesman.

"(May) will acknowledge the steps taken recently by Saudi Arabia to address the crisis but stress the importance of full and unfettered humanitarian and commercial access, including through the ports," he said Tuesday.

"She will also reiterate how seriously we take allegations of violation against international humanitarian law and emphasize the need to ensure these are investigated swiftly and thoroughly."

The spokesman added the prime minister would "make clear that we urgently need to see progress on the political track... to end the conflict and humanitarian suffering in Yemen."

Saudi Arabia's King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud walks with Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May during a reception ceremony in Riyadh, Nov. 29, 2017. /VCG Photo

Royal welcome and noisy protests

Britain is rolling out the red carpet for the crown prince's controversial three-day visit, which Downing Street hopes "will usher in a new era in bilateral relations" but is also expected to draw protests.

Salman will lunch Wednesday with the Queen at Buckingham Palace, while Prince Charles will host him at a dinner with Prince William among the guests.

The crown prince will jointly host with May the inaugural UK-Saudi strategic partnership council in Downing Street offices.

Both sense an opportunity to broaden their existing relationship: Britain is looking for trading partners as it exits the EU, and Saudi Arabia needs to convince skeptical investors about its domestic reforms.

The summit, attended by ministers from both countries, will focus on support for reforms in Saudi Arabia, trade relations, defense and security, according to Downing Street.

Britain is vying to land the stock market listing of state oil firm Saudi Aramco, but no decision is expected this week.

Later this month Prince Mohammed visits the US, which also wants the lucrative listing, although sources said both countries may miss out.

"An important part of the visit will be exploring ways we can support Saudi to progress and intensify these reforms," May's spokesman said, noting the enacted or proposed lifting of bans on women in sports, going to cinemas and being able to drive in the kingdom.

Demonstrators drive a van with a large protest poster on it during a protest against the visit by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in central London, Britain, March 6, 2018. /Reuters Photo

Protest group Stop the War will hold a rally outside Downing Street at 5:00 p.m. (1700 GMT) on Wednesday to denounce Saudi Arabia's "brutal and illegal bombing" in Yemen and London's support for the Middle Eastern regime.

Meanwhile, NGO Save the Children will also protest the conflict by placing a life-size statue of a child near parliament "to draw attention to the violence that is being fueled, in part, by British-made bombs."

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister defended his country's "just" war in Yemen on the eve of the crown prince's visit, which follows a trip to Egypt earlier in the week and comes ahead of a visit to the US later in March.

"They criticize us for a war in Yemen that we did not want, that was imposed on us," Adel Al-Jubeir told BBC radio.

"They criticize us for a war in Yemen that is a just war, that is supported by international law," he added.

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Source(s): AFP ,Reuters