Saudi defends 'just' Yemen war ahead of UK visit
"After Brexit, there will be huge opportunities for Britain as a result of Vision 2030."
LONDON (AFP) - Saudi Arabia s Foreign Minister on Tuesday defended his country s "just" war in Yemen, on the eve of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman s controversial visit to Britain.
"They criticise us for a war in Yemen that we did not want, that was imposed on us," Adel Al-Jubeir told BBC Radio 4.
"They criticise us for a war in Yemen that is a just war, that is supported by international law," he added.
Protest group Stop the War will hold a rally outside Prime Minister Theresa May s Downing Street residence at 5.00pm (1700 GMT) on Wednesday to denounce Saudi Arabia s "brutal and illegal bombing" in Yemen and London s support for the Middle Eastern regime.
NGO Save the Children will also protest the conflict by placing a life-size statue of a child near parliament "to draw attention to the violence that is being fuelled, in part, by British-made bombs."
Turning to Saudi Arabia s "Vision 2030" plan to diversify its oil-reliant economy, Al-Jubeir said that Britain would be a major beneficiary.
"After Brexit, there will be huge opportunities for Britain as a result of Vision 2030," he told the BBC.
The Saudi Crown Prince is expected in London on Wednesday following his visit to Egypt earlier this week, and before a trip to the United States from March 19 to 22.
