Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sat down face to face for talks with Theresa May today as Britain rolled out the red carpet for his visit.
The two leaders agreed to set a target for around £65billion of trade and investment between the two countries over the coming years
The PM also raised 'deep concerns at the humanitarian situation in Yemen' where Saudi led forces are raging a bloody war and have been accused of breaching internal humanitarian law.
They met for talks together with senior officials on both sides at the first ever UK-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council - a high-powered meeting will be repeated annually to build ties.
Earlier the Saudi ruler lunched with the Queen and Duke of York at Buckingham Palace as Britain treats the Crown Prince to pomp and ceremony during his three-day visit to Britain.
But the trip looks set to be overshadowed by protests which began today as angry demonstrators descended on Whitehall carrying placards and chanting.
Among the crowd which gathered outside the gates of Downing Street Labour's shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon and Labour's shadow business minister Laura Pidcock joined the protest.
Mr Burgon posted a pictured of the pair at a demonstration opposite Downing Street with the message: 'This evening myself, @LauraPidcockMP and other Labour MPs joined the demonstration outside 10 Downing Street protesting against the Government's red carpet for Saudi Arabia's ruler and bomb buyer in chief.'
Critics have slammed the Government for inviting the royal while his kingdom is accused of war crimes and millions of Yemenis are at risk of famine.
Theresa May (pictured left with ministers including Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, Chancellor Philip Hammond, Home Secretary Amber Rudd, Education Secretary Damian Hinds and Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt) sat face to face Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the inaugural UK-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council today
The Crown Prince (pictured addressing the council meeting today) is also due to receive a security briefing from British intelligence while visiting Downing Street
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, Home Secretary Amber Rudd and International Trade secretary Liam Fox were among the PM's ministers who attended the talks with Saudi Arabia's leaders today
The two delegations posed for a family photo inside 10 Downing Street tonight to mark the first ever UK-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council
The Saudi delegation poured into No 10 today (pictured) for the inaugural Strategic Partnership Council between London and Riyadh. The meeting is due to be held annually
Theresa May welcomed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to No 10 Downing Street this afternoon (pictured) after he lunched with the Queen at Buckingham Palace
Mrs May has vowed to raise concerns over the conduct of Saudi's war in Yemen during today's talks amid growing anger at the roll of British personnel in advising the Saudi airforce
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with the Queen at Buckingham Palace earlier (pictured) to kick off a three-day trip set to be dominated by protests
Meeting the Queen in a private audience was a signal of the diplomatic importance Britain placed upon the visit by the Crown Prince as the Government scrambles to build closer ties with the Kingdom
Labour's shadow justice secretary Richard Burgon and Labour's shadow business minister Laura Pidcock joined the protest.
Human rights demonstrators dressed as Mrs May and the Crown Prince descended on Westminster while red double-decker buses carried protesters through Westminster.
But the PM defended Britain's close ties with the country as she was challenged over it during today's PMQs in the Commons.
Mrs May said: 'The link that we have with Saudi Arabia is historic, it is an important one and it has saved the lives of potentially hundreds of people in this country.'
She added: 'I will be raising concerns abut human rights with the Crown Prince when I meet him.'
Why is Saudi Arabia's war in Yemen going to trigger protests?
What is Saudi Arabia's role in the war in Yemen?
Yemen has been embroiled in a bloody civil war since 2014 when Houthi rebels took over the capital city of Sanaa. Saudi Arabia feared the rise of the group it says is backed by Iran, the region's key Shia power. Riyadh formed a coalition with other mainly Sunni Arab states to restore the ousted Yemeni government.
What action has Saudi Arabia taken?
As well as bombing campaigns, the kingdom hit Yemen with naval blockades after a missile was fired towards Riyadh. The ports of Hodeidah and Salif were blocked off for weeks, stopping crucial aid and supplies from reaching the country.
How has the conflict affected Yemenis?
The UNHCR, the United Nations' refugee agency, says the country is suffering the "world's worst humanitarian crisis". Some 22.2 million people, 75% of the population, are in need of aid as they battle conflict, famine and disease, and thousands have died.
Does the Saudi coalition have international support?
The UK is not part of the coalition but Saudi Arabia is its key ally in the region. Campaigners lost a legal bid to stop Britain selling arms to the kingdom while it continues its military campaign against the Houthis. The US has provided intelligence and other support for the coalition.
Is the crown prince's visit controversial for other reasons as well?
Yes. Although the crown prince has very publicly embarked on a modernisation programme in the kingdom, critics say it is little more than a smokescreen. Rules banning women from driving are being lifted but they still need permission from a man to travel, get a job or receive an education. Human rights charity Reprieve claims executions have doubled under the crown prince.
The Prime Minister will also call for urgent progress on securing a political resolution in Yemen when she has her first meeting with the Crown Prince later.
Her remarks came after Jeremy Corbyn accused her Government of 'colluding' with war crimes by selling arms to Riyadh while it stands accused of breaching human rights laws in Yemen.
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Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is set to embark on a trip to London. This is HRH's first official visit to the #UnitedKingdom highlighting the importance HRH places on the relationship with the UK. #SaudiUKVisit
The launch of the UK-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council on Wednesday was designed to showcase the underlying strength of the relationship. It will see British and Saudi officials work to promote reforms in the public and private sector.
The visit of HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman ushers in a new era in our bilateral relations focused on a partnership that delivers wide-ranging benefits for both our countries. #CrownPrinceVisit
'It cannot be right that her government is colluding in what the United Nations says is evidence of war crimes.
'Will the Prime Minister use her meeting today with the crown prince to halt the arms supplies and demand an immediate ceasefire in Yemen?'
Mr Corbyn's spokesman then told reporters: 'British military personnel are in the operations room where these bombing campaigns are being conducted. They are advising directly on the targeting of infrastructure and operations in Yemen.
'If they are trying to avoid civilian casualties, it has been a disastrous failure since the civilian casualties have been extremely high and the targeting of schools and hospitals in Yemen by the Saudi air force is on a very large scale.
'There is clearly evidence of war crimes having been carried out in Yemen by the Saudi air force.
'Targeting of civilian infrastructure, hospitals and schools - which has happened on a large scale in Yemen - is a war crime.
'It is essential that stops.
Hitting back at Mr Corbyn's comments in PMQs today, Mrs May's official spokesman said: 'The suggestion that the British military advisers are directing the war is simply not true.
'The United Kingdom is not a member of the Saudi-led coalition operating in Yemen, British personnel are not involved in carrying out strikes, directing or conducting operations in Yemen, and are not involved in the Saudi targeting decision making process.'
In a read-out of the meeting between the two leaders today, the PM's spokesman said the pair had talked about investment, pushing women's rights in Saudi Arabia and the war in Yemen.
He said: 'The meeting agreed a landmark ambition for around £65bn of mutual trade and investment opportunities over the coming years, including direct investment in the UK and new Saudi public procurement with UK companies.
'This is a significant boost for UK prosperity and a clear demonstration of the strong international confidence in our economy as we prepare to leave the European Union.'
He added: 'The Prime Minister raised our deep concerns at the humanitarian situation in Yemen.
'The Prime Minister and Crown Prince agreed on the importance of full and unfettered humanitarian and commercial access, including through the ports, and that a political solution was ultimately the only way to end the conflict and humanitarian suffering in Yemen.'
The Crown Prince's trip will also include dinner with the Prince of Wales and Duke of Cambridge tonight.
He will also see Mrs May again at her country retreat of Chequers tomorrow, and hold talks with Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson on Friday.
Part of the visit will be the first annual Strategic Partnership Council between Britain and Saudi Arabia in Downing Street today.
Ahead of the trip, Mrs May's official spokesman said: 'You can expect them to discuss Yemen and the Prime Minister to raise deep concerns at the humanitarian situation.'
In her meeting today, the PM will 'acknowledge the steps' taken recently by Saudi Arabia to address the crisis.
Via - Dailymail
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