Saudi, Brit Royals Dine

King Abdullah sweeps into London with 23 advisers and 400 aides
By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 31, 2007 9:52 AM CDT
Saudi, Brit Royals Dine
King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, right, with Queen Elizabeth II, left, and Prince Philip, center, prior a state banquet at Buckingham Palace in London after the first day of the Saudi king's visit Tuesday Oct. 30, 2007. Britain's lavish welcome for Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah came under heavy criticism...   (Associated Press)

In the first visit of a Saudi king to the UK in 20 years, King Abdullah was treated to a Buckingham Palace banquet last night. His host, Queen Elizabeth, said Britain and Saudi Arabia must fight together against "terrorists who threaten the way of life of our citizens." Abdullah urged British Muslims to be "honest and upright Muslims and worthy British citizens," the BBC reports.

The king, who is meeting with PM Gordon Brown today, arrived in London with a massive entourage of 23 personal advisers and 400 aides.The visit has sparked protests over the Saudi human rights record, and began with Britain scrambling to refute Abdullah's claim that Saudis provided information that could have stopped the July 7 London bombings. (More Queen Elizabeth II stories.)

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