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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Red carpet welcome for Saudi king | Red carpet welcome for Saudi king |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia is receiving a ceremonial welcome from the Queen, with a state banquet at Buckingham Palace later. | |
| The Lib Dems and a number of charities say it should not take place because of the kingdom's poor human rights record. | |
| King Abdullah, who flew into the UK on Monday, has already caused controversy by accusing Britain of not doing enough in the fight against terrorism. | King Abdullah, who flew into the UK on Monday, has already caused controversy by accusing Britain of not doing enough in the fight against terrorism. |
| The king's arrival marks the first visit by a Saudi monarch in 20 years. | The king's arrival marks the first visit by a Saudi monarch in 20 years. |
| Convoy of limousines | Convoy of limousines |
| His visit officially begins on Tuesday when the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will greet him in Horse Guards Parade, where he will review a guard of honour before heading for the palace in carriages. | His visit officially begins on Tuesday when the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will greet him in Horse Guards Parade, where he will review a guard of honour before heading for the palace in carriages. |
| There, during a state banquet, both monarchs will make speeches. | There, during a state banquet, both monarchs will make speeches. |
| BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said six planes brought the king and his huge entourage to Heathrow airport. | BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said six planes brought the king and his huge entourage to Heathrow airport. |
| It took three hours for all the luggage to be unloaded while a convoy of 84 limousines drove the party into London, our correspondent said. | It took three hours for all the luggage to be unloaded while a convoy of 84 limousines drove the party into London, our correspondent said. |
| Among them were 23 personal advisors who will stay at Buckingham Palace and more than 400 aides who are spilling out into London hotels, he added. | Among them were 23 personal advisors who will stay at Buckingham Palace and more than 400 aides who are spilling out into London hotels, he added. |
| Protests | Protests |
| On Monday, Foreign Office minister Kim Howells called for Britain and Saudi Arabia to work more closely together, despite their differences. | On Monday, Foreign Office minister Kim Howells called for Britain and Saudi Arabia to work more closely together, despite their differences. |
| He said the two states could unite around their "shared values". | He said the two states could unite around their "shared values". |
| But the Foreign Office was later forced to rebut the king's claims that Saudi authorities had provided information which could have averted the 7 July attacks. | But the Foreign Office was later forced to rebut the king's claims that Saudi authorities had provided information which could have averted the 7 July attacks. |
| Acting Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable said he was boycotting the state visit, while backbench Labour MPs are planning to join human right demonstrators at a protest outside the Saudi embassy on Wednesday. | Acting Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable said he was boycotting the state visit, while backbench Labour MPs are planning to join human right demonstrators at a protest outside the Saudi embassy on Wednesday. |
| Downing Street has insisted the government would continue to raise the issue with the Saudi delegation during the week, but said it would not "dominate" talks. | Downing Street has insisted the government would continue to raise the issue with the Saudi delegation during the week, but said it would not "dominate" talks. |
| During his visit, the king will also meet Prince Charles to discuss the Prince's Trust and will attend a banquet hosted by the Lord Mayor at the Guildhall, before returning home on Thursday. | During his visit, the king will also meet Prince Charles to discuss the Prince's Trust and will attend a banquet hosted by the Lord Mayor at the Guildhall, before returning home on Thursday. |