This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7070498.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| PM Brown in talks with Saudi king | PM Brown in talks with Saudi king |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown is to meet King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia in Downing Street, as protests over the monarch's visit continue. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown is to meet King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia in Downing Street, as protests over the monarch's visit continue. |
| During the second day of the state visit, the king and Mr Brown are expected to discuss counter-terrorism, the Middle East, Iraq and Iran. | During the second day of the state visit, the king and Mr Brown are expected to discuss counter-terrorism, the Middle East, Iraq and Iran. |
| The face-to-face meeting comes after Mr Brown attended the ceremonial welcome and banquet with the Queen. | The face-to-face meeting comes after Mr Brown attended the ceremonial welcome and banquet with the Queen. |
| Protests against Saudi Arabia's human rights record are due to continue. | Protests against Saudi Arabia's human rights record are due to continue. |
| Downing Street said Mr Brown would "raise issues he believes to be appropriate", but the Foreign Office said ministerial meetings would not be dominated by human rights concerns. | Downing Street said Mr Brown would "raise issues he believes to be appropriate", but the Foreign Office said ministerial meetings would not be dominated by human rights concerns. |
| Protests | Protests |
| Saudi Arabia is a major trade partner with Britain - a relationship that came under scrutiny when the UK government stopped a Serious Fraud Office corruption inquiry into the Al-Yamamah arms deal with BAE Systems. | Saudi Arabia is a major trade partner with Britain - a relationship that came under scrutiny when the UK government stopped a Serious Fraud Office corruption inquiry into the Al-Yamamah arms deal with BAE Systems. |
| Protests so far have included a boycott by the acting leader of the Liberal Democrats, Vince Cable, and demonstrators lining the route near Horse Guards Parade on Tuesday while the royal welcome was held. | Protests so far have included a boycott by the acting leader of the Liberal Democrats, Vince Cable, and demonstrators lining the route near Horse Guards Parade on Tuesday while the royal welcome was held. |
| Gordon Brown was among numerous dignitaries to welcome the king | |
| While Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and Middle East Minister Kim Howells attended the welcome with Mr Brown, some backbench Labour MPs are planning to join human rights demonstrators staging a protest outside the Saudi embassy on Wednesday. | While Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and Middle East Minister Kim Howells attended the welcome with Mr Brown, some backbench Labour MPs are planning to join human rights demonstrators staging a protest outside the Saudi embassy on Wednesday. |
| In a speech at the state banquet hosted by the Queen on Tuesday, the king spoke of the "ominous signs of war and conflict in the world". | In a speech at the state banquet hosted by the Queen on Tuesday, the king spoke of the "ominous signs of war and conflict in the world". |
| His earlier remarks about the 7 July terror attacks have heightened the controversy surrounding the trip. | His earlier remarks about the 7 July terror attacks have heightened the controversy surrounding the trip. |
| The Foreign Office was forced to rebut the king's claims, made in a BBC interview, that Saudi authorities had provided information that could have prevented the London bombings. | The Foreign Office was forced to rebut the king's claims, made in a BBC interview, that Saudi authorities had provided information that could have prevented the London bombings. |
| And the Queen, in her banquet speech, said Britain and Saudi Arabia must work together against terrorists "who threaten the way of life of our citizens". | And the Queen, in her banquet speech, said Britain and Saudi Arabia must work together against terrorists "who threaten the way of life of our citizens". |
| During his visit, the king will also meet Prince Charles to discuss the Prince's Trust and will attend a banquet hosted by the Lord Mayor at the Guildhall, before returning home on Thursday. | During his visit, the king will also meet Prince Charles to discuss the Prince's Trust and will attend a banquet hosted by the Lord Mayor at the Guildhall, before returning home on Thursday. |
| The last visit by a Saudi king to the UK was 20 years ago. | The last visit by a Saudi king to the UK was 20 years ago. |