The UK Minister of State for the Middle East has arrived in the
Gulf today for talks on upholding regional security and
reaffirming the UK's commitment to tackling the dangerous threat
posed by Iran-backed proxies and partners.
On his first stop in Bahrain, Lord Ahmad will visit the UK
Maritime Component Command at the Naval Support Facility from
where the UK is supporting Operation Prosperity Guardian and
Operation Poseidon Archer alongside international partners.
The operations have sought to deter Houthi aggression and protect
international shipping from the Houthis' reckless &
indiscriminate attacks against commercial and military vessels,
including the UK contributions to the international taskforce
from Royal Navy ships HMS Diamond and HMS Richmond.
In meetings with Bahrain's National Security Advisor, Foreign
Minister and Interior Minister, Lord Ahmad will also discuss the
ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza, reiterating the UK's efforts
towards securing an immediate pause in the fighting to get more
life-saving aid into Gaza faster and through as many routes as
possible.
The Minister will then travel to the UAE where he is expected to
have further discussions on the ongoing conflict in Israel and
Gaza, including the UAE and UK humanitarian response, and
continue to encourage a de-escalation of regional tensions; as
well as efforts to support the peace process in Sudan.
, Minister of State
for Middle East, said:
At this critical period, we must do all we can – including
working with key partners – to strengthen regional stability and
security and push for de-escalation.
The UK, Bahrain and the UAE are close partners and they have a
crucial role to play in the region and I look forward to
discussing our ongoing efforts towards alleviating the dire
humanitarian suffering in Gaza by getting more aid in through as
many routes as possible and to get hostages out.
We must also work closely together to address the threat posed by
the Iran-backed Houthis in the Red Sea and make progress towards
peace and security in the Middle East, most importantly securing
an irreversible pathway to delivering a two-state solution of
Israel and Palestine.
