The UK “is back” in the Persian Gulf region and will remain committed to the security of its Arab allies there in the foreseeable future, says British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson.
Speaking at the annual Manama Dialogue security forum in the Bahraini capital on Friday, Johnson said London was looking to strengthen old relationships in the wake of a shock referendum vote in June to leave the European Union (EU).
“This is about building on and intensifying old friendships,” Johnson said. “Britain has been part of your story for the last 200 years, and we will be with you for the centuries to come.”
Pledging to spend 3 billion pounds on security ties with the Arab allies over the next decade, Johnson said the UK would “still be able to stick up for our friends and partners in the (Persian) Gulf,” long after leaving the EU.
“Your security is our security,” the minister told the leaders of the Persian Gulf Arab states.
Johnson tried to…