The Prime Minister met His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman,
Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, in Jeddah today.
The Prime Minister began by welcoming the ceasefire and set out
how efforts must now be focused on upholding it and turning it
into a lasting peace.
He was clear that it was vital now to continue work to reopen the
Strait of Hormuz, and discussed the UK's ongoing efforts to
convene partners to agree and plan the practical steps required
to give shipping the confidence to transit the Strait.
Reflecting on the defensive operations which have taken place in
the region since the conflict began, the Prime Minister thanked
His Royal Highness for Saudi Arabia's efforts to protect British
nationals in the country.
The Prime Minister committed to continue to support Saudi Arabia
as a steadfast ally including through the recent deployment of
the Sky Sabre air defence system, having met UK personnel
deployed to operate it earlier today.
The leaders then discussed how the UK and Saudi Arabia could
further deepen their defence industrial cooperation to boost
capability and mutual security for the long term, as well as
continuing to grow their thriving trade and investment
relationship.
The Prime Minister said he was pleased that the UK and Saudi
Arabia would soon be marking 100 years of friendship under the
Treaty of Jeddah and they looked forward to speaking again soon.
