Prince Mohammed bin Salman is the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia, one of Spain’s biggest clients for arms exportation YOAN VALAT/POOL/REUTERSA €2 billion arms deal is due to be finalised when Saudi Arabia’s crown prince arrives in Madrid today. The deal has provoked fears that Spanish warships could be used as part of Saudi Arabia’s war in Yemen. King Felipe VI of Spain’s attempts to charm Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince and de facto Saudi ruler, come as criticism grows from human rights groups over the conflict in one of the world’s poorest countries. The Spanish king and Mariano Rajoy, the prime minister, are to meet Prince Mohammed as Spain attempts to finalise a contract to sell five naval corvettes to Saudi Arabia, which would safeguard thousands of jobs in Spain’s loss-making shipyards. Today’s visit follows King Felipe’s trip to Riyadh in January last…

Source: The Times April 11, 2018 16:00 UTC