Protests expected for visit of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince to London
PROTESTS PLANNED for the visit of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince are based on a misunderstanding of the war in Yemen, the country’s foreign minister has said.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will arrive today for the controversial official visit which is set to be marked by demonstrations against his country’s role in the bloody civil war in Yemen.
But foreign minister Adel alJubeir insisted the conflict was “just” and protests should focus on the role of the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Saudi Arabia is the main player in a coalition supporting the Yemeni government against the Houthis in a war which has caused a humanitarian catastrophe. Mr al-Jubeir told BBC Radio 4’s
Today programme the expected protests would not affect the crown prince’s visit.
“This is part of your traditions, there are protests that take place in London all the time,” he said.
He added: “I believe that their positions are based on misunderstanding and not knowing.
“They should be demonstrating against the Houthis for taking nine-year-old boys into battle, they should be protesting against the Houthis for laying siege on towns and villages and starving people, for stealing humanitarian assistance.”
Andrew Smith of the Campaign Against Arms Trade urged Theresa May to stop supporting Saudi Arabia. He said: “The overwhelming majority of people in the UK do not share Theresa May’s political and military support for the Saudi regime.”