UK invites MBS despite Saudi Arabia's poor record in human rights: FT

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Financial Times
14 Jul 2023 13:39
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This would mark the latest sign of Western nations mending ties with the Prince after journalist Jamal Khashoggi was assassinated in 2018.

Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman takes his seat ahead of a working lunch at the G20 Summit, Tuesday, November 20, 2022 (AP)

The UK has sent an invitation for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to visit London amid efforts to bolster ties with the Gulf and attract investments from the oil-rich country.

As the schedule is being finalized, the visit is due to take place around the months of October or November.

This would mark the latest sign of Western nations mending ties with the Prince after journalist Jamal Khashoggi was assassinated by Saudi agents in 2018.

The CIA judged that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman had approved the operation in Istanbul to capture or kill Khashoggi, according to an assessment released in February 2021. However, Saudi officials have always denied this.

Despite Saudi Arabia's poor human rights record, especially in Yemen, the UK appears to be committed to bolstering its ties with the oil-rich country, likely in a bid to save the economy from a potential recession amid an energy-induced cost-of-living crisis.

As per statements delivered by a UK government official, "It’s more up to them, given we need them more than they need us," he told AFP.

The UK has over the past year or two held several rounds of negotiation with countries of the GCC, sealing deals and conducting formal visits, including in Saudi Arabia where several ministers have paid a visit to the kingdom.

The last time Prince Mohammed visited the UK was in March 2018, six months prior to Khashoggi's murder in Istanbul.