UK PM Keir Starmer commends Gulf and Middle East leaders for supporting regional security

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer of the Labour Party recently held calls involving leaders from Saudi Arabia, Oman and Jordan. Regional stability remained high on the agenda, besides defence and the UK’s trading relationships.

The calls come after Starmer spoke to UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in just 48 hours of entering No 10 Downing Street.

I extend my congratulations to @Keir_Starmer on becoming Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and I look forward to working together to further strengthen the longstanding partnership between our countries.

— محمد بن زايد (@MohamedBinZayed) July 5, 2024

Saudi Arabia-UK

During a call on Monday afternoon, Starmer and Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, reflected on the strong Saudi-UK bilateral relations, including through Strategic Partnership Council, reported The National.

The brutal Israel-Hamas fighting also stayed in focus. Starmer praised Prince Mohammed for his leading support for regional stability and underlined the UK’s commitment to peace and security in the vast region.

Oman-UK

Speaking to Sultan Haitham of Oman on Monday, the British Prime Minister affirmed his commitment to the Oman-UK relationship and expressed his interest in expanding ties across defence, security and economic prosperity.

The leaders also agreed on the importance of maintaining regional security in the Middle East and both plan to put in efforts together to ensure stability, reported The National. The Gaza crisis is large enough to bring the entire region into utter chaos.

Jordan-UK

Starmer also spoke to King Abdullah II of Jordan. Both leaders agreed the Jordan-UK relationship remains “deep and historic”. They discussed Gaza and Starmer commended the Jordanian leader for his strong leadership in ensuring regional security.

Both leaders admitted that “ensuring an immediate ceasefire is vital to ensure hostages get out and further aid can get into Gaza.” The death toll in the ongoing Israel-Hamas fighting is in tens of thousands of people, amid several others struggling to find basic necessities.

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