BICOM

David Cameron is visiting Saudi Arabia, for the first time as Prime Minister. Cameron will meet King Abdullah and Crown Prince Nayif later today in talks which No.10 hopes will “broaden and deepen” the UK-Saudi relations. Subjects likely to be discussed include the global economy, energy security and counter-terrorism.

Saudi Arabia is the UK’s largest trading partner in the Middle East with annual trade worth £15bn a year. The Kingdom also has £62bn invested in the UK economy. The visit comes amid escalating tension between neighbouring Iran and the international community over Tehran’s nuclear programme, after the West threatened to impose sanctions on the Islamic republic’s oil exports. Tehran, in turn, has threatened to shut the Strait of Hormuz – a chokepoint for a fifth of the world’s oil – if it is attacked or if tough sanctions are imposed.

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary William Hague today said the UK would support governments elected in the wake of the Arab Spring uprisings, despite “legitimate concerns” over the rise of parties rooted in Islam. Writing in The Times, Hague argued that the recent success enjoyed by religious parties did not mean the Arab Spring had turned into a “cold winter,” warning that bad governance would bring demonstrators back onto the streets. “We must respect these choices while upholding our own principles of human rights and freedom and urging the highest standards,” he added. “The true test of these governments will be how they act in office.”