RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) – British Prime Minister Theresa May arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to strengthen bilateral ties and increase trade with the largest Arab economy as it continues to spend heavily on defense and an ongoing war in Yemen.
The prime minister arrived in the OPEC powerhouse following talks in the neighboring kingdom of Jordan.
The British government said May will emphasize her country’s close partnership with Saudi Arabia, including on counterterrorism cooperation. Before traveling to Saudi Arabia, May noted that intelligence received in the past from Saudi Arabia saved potentially hundreds of lives in the UK.
She kicked off her Riyadh visit by meeting with Saudi Arabia’s counterterrorism czar, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, who is also Interior Minister overseeing a vast array of security forces. The official Saudi Press Agency said the two discussed regional conflicts and “joint cooperation to combat extremism and fight terrorism.”
Drawing mixed reactions on social media, British Prime Minister Theresa May did not wear a headscarf during her visit as most Saudi women do. Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and First Lady Michelle Obama also declined to wear headscarves during visits to the country.