| Pomp, Circumstance & Controversy As The Queen Welcomes The King of Saudi Arabia |
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| Written by Joanne Leyland | |
| Tuesday, 30 October 2007 | |
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Page 1 of 2  The Queen and members of the Royal Family have
welcomed King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia to Buckingham Palace for a
glittering state banquet marking the start of a
politically sensitive State Visit.Against a backdrop of threats of protest and huge political and media debate about the poor human rights record of Saudi Arabia, resulting in questions as to why the Saudi King has been given such a warm welcome, the Queen has spoken of the strong links between the two nations. Addressing an audience of royals and dignitaries, including Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the Queen welcomed the absolute monarch with a diplomatic speech in which she said: "We have appreciated and admired Saudi Arabia's role in the search for a peaceful solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, in particular Your Majesty's own personal contribution through the Arab Peace Initiative." "We will continue to support your efforts in the cause of peace in the region." 
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