Sauidi Arabia Receives UK Ambassador, Crompton.
By Timilehin Ajibade
Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Ambassador Dr. Saud Al-Sati has received the UK Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Mr. Neil Crompton, in Riyadh to discuss topics of mutual interest.
Neil Crompton was appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in February 2020. Prior to this appointment he was the Director of the Middle East and North Africa Directorate from 2015 to 2019. Crompton joined the FCDO in 1995 as a Senior Research Officer in the Middle East and North Africa Group.
The UK and Saudi Arabia have a deep-rooted relationship that dates back to 1848, when Faisal bin Turki, the ruler of the Second Saudi state, formally requested the support of the British Political Resident in Bushire for his representative in Trucial Oman. Since then, the UK and Saudi Arabia have maintained a strong alliance, with the UK being one of the first countries to recognize Saudi Arabia as a sovereign state in 1926.
Over the years, the UK and Saudi Arabia have cooperated on various issues, including trade, defense, and security. The UK has been a major supplier of arms to Saudi Arabia, with the Al-Yamamah arms deal in 1985 being one of the largest arms deals in history. However, this deal has also been marred by controversy, with allegations of corruption and bribery surrounding the transaction .
In recent years, the UK and Saudi Arabia have faced criticism for their handling of human rights issues, particularly in relation to the conflict in Yemen. The UK has been accused of supplying arms to Saudi Arabia, which have been used in the conflict, despite evidence of human rights abuses and civilian casualties ..
Despite these challenges, the UK and Saudi Arabia continue to maintain a strong diplomatic relationship, with regular exchanges between high-level officials. In 2021, the UK and Saudi Arabia met in London to discuss global issues and bilateral relations, including the issue of Palestine . The UK has also been supportive of Saudi Arabia’s efforts to diversify its economy and reduce its dependence on oil exports.
The UK’s Ministry of Defence has a significant presence in Saudi Arabia, with the Saudi British Defence Cooperation Programme (SBDCP) and the SALAM Project providing weapons and services to the Saudi Armed Forces. The UK also runs a British Military Mission to the Saudi Arabian National Guard, which aims to improve the communication capabilities of the National Guard .
