IN THE NAME OF ALLAH THE MOST MERCIFUL ,THE MOST COMPASSIONATE

Your Majesty,

            Your Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh,

            Your Royal Highnesses,

            Your Excellencies, Ministers and Distinguished Guests

Peace be upon you and the mercy and blessings of  Allah

            I should like to express to Your Majesty my most heartfelt thanks and appreciation for your most gracious invitation this evening and for the warm hospitality which we have received.

            May I also say how grateful I am for the sentiments which Your Majesty kindly expressed in your speech, sentiments which I can assure you are felt by the Saudi people towards the British people.

YOUR MAJESTY

            Relations between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom have been ongoing for some one hundred years and it was in 1945 that the historic meeting took place between the founder of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the late King AbdulAziz, and one who was among the Prime Ministers who have served Your Majesty, Winston Churchill. It was this meeting which laid the firm foundations for the constructive cooperation which has marked relations between the Two Kingdoms. Nor can we forget the visit by which Your Majesty honoured us in coming to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a visit which made a deep and touching impression in all our heart. 

            My present visit to the United Kingdom is a continuation of  the State Visits paid by my  late brothers and predecessors as Kings of Saudi Arabia. May Allah have mercy upon them. I trust and hope that my present visit will contribute to deepening the relationship between our two countries and urging it forward in so many different  spheres.

YOUR MAJESTY

It was from Britain that the Industrial Revolution began which brought  mankind into a new phase of development .This heritage is still alive and flourishing and we look forward to close cooperation with the United Kingdom in those vital spheres in which there is transfer of technology, of education and training and scientific research because it is our firm belief that any real development must have its beginning in the development of human beings and the enhancement of their qualifications.

YOUR MAJESTY

            Throughout the world today there are ominous signs of war and conflict and in the face of these threatening dangers it is essential that we equip ourselves with wisdom and courage so that we may not slip into the abyss. Any dispute, no matter how complex it may seem, is capable of being solved if we deal with it in a spirit of justice and equity.

            The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia puts out its hand ,with confidence and determination, to all its friends who desire to bring about a just and lasting peace in our region and in all areas which appear to be on the brink of an explosion. I am certain that we shall find  Your Majesty’s Government ready to extend all possible assistance in putting an end to the tragic ordeal of our Palestinian brethren by way of a true peace which maintains the rights of all parties and is based on justice and the resolutions adopted by the international community.

YOUR MAJESTY

            I can only give the highest praise to all that I see in British society in the way of  toleration  of all races ,creeds and colour, and I should like to take this opportunity to call upon our Muslim brethren living in Britain to be honest and upright Muslims and  worthy British citizens ,striving to build and construct  so that they may convey the true image of the principles of Islam ,those eternal principles of love, mercy and moderation.

            May I once again express my gratitude to Your Majesty ,with the hope that you will be granted success from God.