Saudi King's Visit To UK

Prince Charles's attention is caught by demonstrators who gathered on The Mall to protest over human rights and the arms trade.

Red carpet welcome for Saudi king

King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia has been welcomed ceremonially to Britain by the Queen, amid burgeoning controversy over the Middle Eastern ruler's stay.

The Queen greeted him on Horseguard's Parade at the start of his first visit to the UK in 20 years.

The Lib Dems and some charities said the visit should not take place because of the kingdom's human rights record.

King Abdullah's remarks about the 7 July terror attacks have heightened the controversy surrounding the trip.

The Foreign Office was forced to rebut his claims that Saudi authorities had provided information which could have prevented the London bombing atrocities.

Its bloody cheek the Saudi King telling us off for not acknowledging their 'intelligence' while not admitting the fact they fund the extremist madrases and 19 of the 9/11 hijackers came from their country! Or there non existent human rights record and wicked treatment of their women, not to mention the alleged corruption that when on during the BAE arms deal and my government and the Queen are laying out the red carpet for a despot.

Not to mention the extravagance, the Saudi Royals traveled in 6 planes and 75 limos (and thats to just come from the airport), in the Saudi King's entourage there are over 400 princes! I bet while they are in the UK they will stock up on whores and booze

This is why I remain deeply cynical anytime a western leader talks about 'spreading democracy in the Middle East', because its a fraud, how can these very same people claim to 'support democracy' when they are backing despots like Mubarak and the Saud royals, but of course they get a free pass because they serve vested interests.

More on the Saudi King's visit

Saudi Arabia: petrotheocracy on the brink of breakdown

Another Howler from Kim Howells

Robert Fisk: King Abdullah flies in to lecture us on terrorism

Thinktank accuses Saudi regime over hate literature

Saudi king's visit met by protests