Minister for the Middle East gives evidence to Committee

28 February 2017

The International Relations Committee takes evidence from the UK's Minister for the Middle East and Africa.

Witnesses

Thursday 2 March, Committee Room 2, Palace of Westminster

At 11.30am

Would you agree with the characterisation that the UK has retracted from its long standing positions in the Middle East, including support for the two-state solution and the UN Refugee Convention?
What are the UK's key strategic aims in the region given the number and scale of its challenges?
The weakening of international institutions in the region has become particularly evident in Syria, how do you view this trend?
In light of the public and parliamentary concerns relating to UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia, would you agree that the current course is untenable?
Is there a way the UK could fire a 'warning shot' to Saudi Arabia, short of a full suspension of arms sales?
Are you satisfied that the UK has the right balance in supporting Gulf allies and its pursuit of other foreign policy objectives in the region?
How do you think the threat of aggressive non-state actors and alliances with Jihadi groups in the region should be managed? Would this be through traditional national security measures?

Image: FCO