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Philip Hammond arrives in Saudi Arabia for key visit Philip Hammond arrives in Saudi Arabia for key visit
(35 minutes later)
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has arrived for a visit to Saudi Arabia. Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has arrived for a visit to Saudi Arabia, as the UK's relationship with the country comes under increasing scrutiny.
It comes as the country's relationship with the UK comes under increasing scrutiny. Mr Hammond will discuss Syria and Yemen and raise "current Saudi judicial cases", the Foreign Office said.
Earlier in the month, the UK cancelled a controversial £5.9m deal to provide "training needs analysis" for Saudi prison service staff. The UK recently cancelled a £5.9m deal to provide "training needs analysis" for Saudi prison service staff.
Last week, the Saudi ambassador to the UK warned there could be serious repercussions from what he called an "alarming change" in the UK's attitude. The Saudi ambassador to the UK previously warned of repercussions over a "change" in the UK's attitude.
Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz said Saudi Arabia would "not be lectured to by anyone".Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf bin Abdulaziz said Saudi Arabia would "not be lectured to by anyone".
'Ruffled feathers''Ruffled feathers'
Saudi Arabia has long been accused of human rights abuses, and has come under pressure from the UK over its treatment of both expats and Saudi nationals who have fallen foul of the country's Islamic laws.Saudi Arabia has long been accused of human rights abuses, and has come under pressure from the UK over its treatment of both expats and Saudi nationals who have fallen foul of the country's Islamic laws.
BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said Mr Hammond's visit was intended to "smooth ruffled feathers" because Saudi Arabia is an "enormously important" partner for the UK in terms of trade, intelligence and defence.BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said Mr Hammond's visit was intended to "smooth ruffled feathers" because Saudi Arabia is an "enormously important" partner for the UK in terms of trade, intelligence and defence.
But the country was also a controversial partner, he said, not least because its "human rights record is pretty awful".But the country was also a controversial partner, he said, not least because its "human rights record is pretty awful".
Controversial cases involving Britons in Saudi Arabia include that of Karl Andree, 74, who was jailed for possessing alcohol. He was also sentenced to 360 lashes - which his family said could kill him - but Saudi officials have said this punishment will not be carried out.Controversial cases involving Britons in Saudi Arabia include that of Karl Andree, 74, who was jailed for possessing alcohol. He was also sentenced to 360 lashes - which his family said could kill him - but Saudi officials have said this punishment will not be carried out.
David Cameron has written a letter requesting Mr Andree's release.David Cameron has written a letter requesting Mr Andree's release.
'Consular cases''Consular cases'
Meanwhile, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has also spoken to Mr Cameron about the case of Saudi national Ali Mohammed Baqir al-Nimr who was arrested when he was 17 in 2011 for taking part in an anti-government protest and now faces the death penalty.Meanwhile, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has also spoken to Mr Cameron about the case of Saudi national Ali Mohammed Baqir al-Nimr who was arrested when he was 17 in 2011 for taking part in an anti-government protest and now faces the death penalty.
A Foreign Office statement said Mr Hammond was in the region to meet with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to discuss the crisis in Syria.A Foreign Office statement said Mr Hammond was in the region to meet with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to discuss the crisis in Syria.
"During the Gulf visit, the foreign secretary will also discuss the ongoing conflict in Yemen," the statement added."During the Gulf visit, the foreign secretary will also discuss the ongoing conflict in Yemen," the statement added.
"As usual on all visits, he will raise consular cases, including current Saudi judicial cases.""As usual on all visits, he will raise consular cases, including current Saudi judicial cases."
On Friday he will fly to Vienna for further talks about Syria with a host of other countries including the US, Iran, Germany and Jordan before heading to Bahrain at the weekend to give speech about extremism.On Friday he will fly to Vienna for further talks about Syria with a host of other countries including the US, Iran, Germany and Jordan before heading to Bahrain at the weekend to give speech about extremism.