Prime minister and Saudi king agree to strengthen bilateral relationship despite fears over kingdom's human rights record
David Cameron has agreed to "strengthen co-operation" with Saudi Arabia despite concerns about its human rights record and criticism of British arms sales to the kingdom.
The prime minister held talks with King Abdullah during a one-day flying visit to Riyadh designed to deepen ties with the country – Britain's chief trading and security partner in the Middle East.
"They discussed the importance of the UK-Saudi bilateral relationship and agreed to strengthen co-operation in a range of areas," Downing Street said in a bland statement. Cameron is understood to have agreed with the Saudis that a tougher line was needed on Iran, requiring tougher action from the Russians at the UN security council.
In an interview with Saudi television channel al-Arabiya, Cameron warned Iran over its threat to block the Strait of Hormuz, saying: "It is in the interests of the whole world that those straits are open and I'm sure if there was any threat to close them the world would come together and make sure they stayed open."
Violence in Syria, Iran's key regional ally, was discussed. He said: "We've been unable to make progress frankly because there have been some countries on the UN security council that have vetoed or threatened to veto proper resolutions on Syria."
Unlike Gordon Brown, Cameron did not take reporters with him on the one-day visit, which had originally been planned as part of a wider tour last year.
Saudi Arabia is Britain's biggest trading partner in the Middle East with bilateral trade worth £15bn a year and Saudi investment in the UK worth more than £62bn.
Britain has been trying to persuade the Saudis to buy Typhoon Eurofighters after their success in the Libyan war.
As the prime minister met King Abdullah, reports emerged of clashes between protesters and security forces in the east of the kingdom that left one man dead.
Liberal Democrat MP Martin Horwood, co-chair of his party's parliamentary committee on international affairs, said: "Liberal Democrats are very worried about the Saudi kingdom's terrible record on human rights including those of women, religious minorities, foreign workers and political opponents of the regime.
"The coalition government did the right thing to champion Arab democracy throughout the Arab spring and we must not send out mixed messages now."
Amnesty International's UK campaigns director, Tim Hancock, said: "There is shocking disrespect for basic human rights in Saudi Arabia and David Cameron should be completely frank and firm with King Abdullah about this.
"For example, he should bring up the case of six Bedouin men who face having their right hand and left foot amputated for 'highway robbery'. The men had no lawyers at their trial and one of them was reportedly beaten for eight days to make him 'confess'."