This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/7704627.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
PM hopeful of Gulf financial aid PM hopeful of Gulf financial aid
(about 2 hours later)
Gordon Brown has said he is hopeful that wealthy oil states will give extra financial support to help countries vulnerable in the current crisis.Gordon Brown has said he is hopeful that wealthy oil states will give extra financial support to help countries vulnerable in the current crisis.
Speaking after talks in Riyadh, Mr Brown said he believed Saudi Arabia would contribute to an IMF fund to help countries at risk of economic collapse. Mr Brown said he believed Saudi Arabia would contribute to an IMF fund to help countries at risk of economic collapse.
He said it was in the interest of Gulf states to help international efforts to stop "financial contagion" spreading. He is pressing Gulf states for help to stabilise the global financial system.
The prime minister also hinted at more global action over interest rates. Before leaving for Qatar, Mr Brown shook hands with five suspected members of al-Qaeda at a "de-radicalisation centre" designed to tackle extremism.
Global efforts Unusual moment
Ahead of the Bank of England's latest interest rate meeting on Thursday - in which it is widely expected to cut rates - Mr Brown said the "trend" of falling inflation and oil prices was giving policymakers more scope to act. The PM visited the "correctional" centre, on the outskirts of the capital Riyadh, where inmates are encouraged to re-engage with mainstream Saudi society through religious and psychological education.
I think we are grasping towards a new global order Gordon Brown The men Mr Brown spoke to are suspected of backing terrorist organisations, not being directly responsible for violent acts.
Talking of a consensus emerging from the current financial crisis of the needed for greater international co-ordination in policymaking, Mr Brown said world leaders would discuss further co-operation at their meeting in Washington later this month. The BBC's James Landale, who is travelling with Mr Brown, said it was a highly unusual moment for a world leader to come face to face with terrorist suspects.
"I think we are grasping towards a new global order where there will be far better global co-ordination in the future and where people will work together to solve common problems," he said.
Mr Brown is in the Gulf to ask states to do more to stabilise oil prices and help tackle the global economic crisis.Mr Brown is in the Gulf to ask states to do more to stabilise oil prices and help tackle the global economic crisis.
The prime minister, who is being accompanied by Business Secretary Peter Mandelson and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband on the trip, will move on to Qatar later on Sunday. Gordon Brown on the need for an international fund if economies fall
The prime minister, who is being accompanied by Business Secretary Peter Mandelson and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband on the trip, arrived in Qatar on Sunday on the second leg of his trip.
He wants Gulf states to contribute to an International Monetary Fund bail-out 'pot' for countries with failing economies.He wants Gulf states to contribute to an International Monetary Fund bail-out 'pot' for countries with failing economies.
There is concern among some observers that as more nations - most recently Iceland, Hungary and Ukraine - apply to the fund for help, its reserves may not be sufficient.There is concern among some observers that as more nations - most recently Iceland, Hungary and Ukraine - apply to the fund for help, its reserves may not be sufficient.
Mr Brown said the prospect of more countries defaulting on their financial commitments risked greater instability for the financial system and could ultimately affect families in the UK.Mr Brown said the prospect of more countries defaulting on their financial commitments risked greater instability for the financial system and could ultimately affect families in the UK.
Talking of a emerging consensus on the need for joined-up global policymaking, Mr Brown said world leaders would discuss further co-operation at their meeting in Washington later this month.
"I think we are grasping towards a new global order where there will be far better global co-ordination in the future and where people will work together to solve common problems," he said.
The prime minister also hinted at more global action over interest rates.
Ahead of the Bank of England's latest interest rate meeting on Thursday - in which it is widely expected to cut rates - Mr Brown said the "trend" of falling inflation and oil prices was giving policymakers more scope to act.
Mr Brown also wants the Gulf states to invest more of their huge financial reserves in Europe.Mr Brown also wants the Gulf states to invest more of their huge financial reserves in Europe.
The IMF estimates the region's sovereign wealth funds - centred on the assets of Gulf royal families - are worth between $2-3 trillion and are expected to rise between $7 trillion and $11 trillion by 2013.The IMF estimates the region's sovereign wealth funds - centred on the assets of Gulf royal families - are worth between $2-3 trillion and are expected to rise between $7 trillion and $11 trillion by 2013.
The growing importance of Middle East capital was demonstrated on Friday when it emerged that Barclays had raised £7.3bn from investors including the Qatari and Abu Dhabi royal families.The growing importance of Middle East capital was demonstrated on Friday when it emerged that Barclays had raised £7.3bn from investors including the Qatari and Abu Dhabi royal families.
Oil stabilityOil stability
The prime minister is keen to use his visit to persuade Gulf nations to maintain their oil production levels to avoid "spikes" in oil prices.The prime minister is keen to use his visit to persuade Gulf nations to maintain their oil production levels to avoid "spikes" in oil prices.
Addressing oil prices, he said: "I want to see more stability as well as a lower price."Addressing oil prices, he said: "I want to see more stability as well as a lower price."
Turning to the state of the UK economy, where his plan to increase borrowing has been criticised by the opposition and some economists, Mr Brown said all countries were having to invest more to support their economies during the current period.Turning to the state of the UK economy, where his plan to increase borrowing has been criticised by the opposition and some economists, Mr Brown said all countries were having to invest more to support their economies during the current period.
"The first priority has to be to get the economy moving and that is the action were are taking," he said."The first priority has to be to get the economy moving and that is the action were are taking," he said.