The head of the UK Foreign Office's Middle East and North Africa division has taken to social media to detail in Saudi Arabia as she accompanies a senior delegation to the Kingdom.
Stephanie Al Qaq, who served as the deputy head of mission to the embassy in Abu Dhabi from August 2015 to April 2019, held a variety of political meetings whilst also visiting cultural sites.
An honour to carry forward the UK’s historic friendship with Oman into a new era today at my first meeting with HM Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. From regional stability to tackling the Yemen crisis and supporting economic reform, the 🇬🇧 has an enduring commitment to 🇴🇲 pic.twitter.com/noFXApRFvH
— Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) March 2, 2020
The UK's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is currently on his visit to the Gulf. Earlier this week he was Oman before heading to Turkey on a hastily arranged trip. He is now in Saudi Arabia.
In Oman, Ms Al Qaq was part of a team British team who met with the new Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and paid their condolences to the recently deceased Sultan Qaboos bin Said.
Oman investing in girls education at the Advanced Cyber Security Academy...plus three of the four trainers were women too. #LeaveNoGirlBehind @UKinOman pic.twitter.com/DqSm5OrAUx
— Stephanie Al-Qaq (@salqaq) March 3, 2020
She then visited Oman's Advanced Cybersecurity Academy, which the UK is supporting.
Arrived in #Riyadh. Beautiful evening. Great to be back to see progress being made under #Vision2030. Well worth a visit to the Banksy Exhibition. @FCOArabic @UKinSaudiArabia pic.twitter.com/ZERaFBY1mp
— Stephanie Al-Qaq (@salqaq) March 4, 2020
In Riyadh, Ms Al Qaq went to see an exhibition by the artist Banksy as she praised the progress Saudi Arabia has made under Vision 2030.
Catching up with @HMAMichaelAron to discuss #yemen. Concerned about recent escalation, need to press on with implementation of #RiyadhAgreement #YemenCantWait @FCOArabic pic.twitter.com/JbJbLr5Yd2
— Stephanie Al-Qaq (@salqaq) March 4, 2020
She also met with the UK's ambassador to Yemen, Michael Aron, to discuss the Yemeni crisis. Ms Al Qaq also offered her support to Yemen's Prime Minister Dr Maeen Abdulmalik.
Good meeting with Yemeni PM @DrMaeenSaeed. Very encouraged to hear his clear vision for delivering services in Yemen. UK will support as much as we can. @FCOArabic @UKinYemen pic.twitter.com/dpZbCYjMGE
— Stephanie Al-Qaq (@salqaq) March 4, 2020
On Wednesday, Ms Al Qaq took part in a Women's Day event at the UK's embassy in Riyadh as she praised Saudi efforts to increase female participation in society.
Delighted to participate in #WomensDay event at @UKinSaudiArabia. UK supports #Vision2030 priorities to improve female participation in all areas of society. Opening of economy reflected in KSA’s jump 30 places up #easeofdoingbusiness index - most of any country. @FCOArabic pic.twitter.com/3KzxrM3lrc
— Stephanie Al-Qaq (@salqaq) March 4, 2020