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By Agence France-Presse
British foreign minister Jeremy Hunt held talks Monday with Saudi Arabia’s king and crown prince, state media said, as he sought to press the kingdom over journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s murder and the escalating Yemen war.
A picture provided by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on November 12, 2018 shows Saudi King Salman (R) meeting Britain’s Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt in Riyadh (AFP / MANILA BULLETIN)
Hunt discussed the “latest developments in the region” with 82-year-old King Salman and later Monday held separate talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the monarch’s son and heir apparent, the Saudi Press Agency said.
The visit comes as the kingdom faces a torrent of international criticism over the murder of Saudi insider-turned-critic Khashoggi in its consulate in Istanbul on October 2.
Ahead of his trip, which included a visit to the United Arab Emirates, Hunt said the international community was united in its “horror and outrage” at Khashoggi’s murder.
“It is clearly unacceptable that the full circumstances behind his murder still remain unclear,” Hunt said.
“We encourage the Saudi authorities to co-operate fully with the Turkish investigation into his death so that we deliver justice for his family and the watching world.”
Hunt, who is seeking to boost support for UN efforts to end the nearly four-year conflict in Yemen, also met Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir.
Britain and the United States are major suppliers of arms to Saudi Arabia, which leads a military coalition backing the Yemen government in its fight against Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels.
Britain is seeking support among regional partners for new action at the UN Security Council for peace talks in Yemen.
“The human cost of war in Yemen is incalculable: with millions displaced, famine and disease rife and years of bloodshed, the only solution is now a political decision to set aside arms and pursue peace,” Hunt said ahead of his trip to the Gulf.
“Britain has a unique position, both as pen-holder at the UN Security Council and as a key influencer in the region, so today I am travelling to the Gulf to demand that all sides commit to this process.
“We are witnessing a manmade humanitarian catastrophe on our watch: now is the window to make a difference, and to get behind both the UN peace process and current UK efforts in the Security Council.”
Hunt’s visit comes after British undersecretary for foreign affairs Simon McDonald held talks with Prince Mohammed and Jubeir in Riyadh.
Hunt also flew to the United Arab Emirates, a key pillar of the Saudi-led coalition, to meet Abu Dhabi’s Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan.
The Foreign Office said Hunt would raise the case of Matthew Hedges, a PhD student who denies charges of spying in the UAE.
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