Britain's Theresa May set for three-day Middle East mission

The UK leader begins a post-Article 50 push for trade deals and increased security cooperation outside the European Union with visits to Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab

03 April, 2017

Theresa May will visit Saudi Arabia and Jordan on her three-day trip [Anadolu]

British Prime Minister Theresa May will begin a three-day trip to the Middle East on Monday, aimed at fostering business links and reinforcing the UK's role in the region's security.

May's visit comes just five days after she triggered the Article 50 clause, thus beginning Britain's departure from the European Union.

"As the United Kingdom leaves the EU, we are determined to forge a bold, confident future for ourselves in the world," the British PM said.

"We must look at the challenges that we, and future generations, will face and build stronger partnerships with countries that will be vital to both our security and our prosperity."

As the United Kingdom leaves the EU, we are determined to forge a bold, confident future for ourselves in the world

The British PM will first travel to Jordan, where she will offer UK military assistance in the battle against the Islamic State group.

It is expected that Britain will deploy training staff to Jordan, as well as offer training for Jordanian military units in the UK.

The military discussions will be followed by May's first trip to Saudi Arabia. This will primarily be a mission to develop trade links with the UK's leading business partner in the region.

Given the oil-rich kingdom's reputation for human rights abuses and accusations of war crimes in Yemen, the UK leader pre-empted criticism by emphasising the importance of ties between London and Riyadh.

Intelligence cooperation between the two states, May said, had saved "hundreds" of lives in the UK.

"We must look at the challenges that we, and future generations, will face and build stronger partnerships with countries that will be vital to both our security and our prosperity," she added.

Downing Street slapped down Johnson for his comments and have continued to supply arms to Riyadh, despite numerous allegations of excesses in its military intervention in Yemen.