UK, Germany seek collective response to Saudi oil attack

WASHINGTON/LONDON/ISLAMABAD: The United Kingdom and Germany will work with allies on a “collective response” to the attack on Saudi oil facilities as a US official told AFP that the United States has concluded the attacks were launched from Iranian soil.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson and German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed the situation in a phone call on Tuesday. Downing Street said work is still ongoing to establish what happened in the attacks at a processing plant and a key oil field.

Downing Street said Johnson and Merkel “discussed Saturday’s attacks in Saudi Arabia and the need to work together, alongside international partners, to agree a collective response”. A spokesman added: “On the issue of Iran, they reaffirmed their commitment to a common approach and the importance of avoiding the further escalation of tensions in the region.”

The UK, Germany and France have worked closely together on the diplomatic handling of Iran, backing the country’s nuclear deal even after Donald Trump pulled the US out of it.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said Johnson has been regularly updated on developments. “He has been having discussions with officials and his cabinet colleagues. Work is still ongoing to establish precisely what happened.”

The US has alleged Iran was responsible for the attacks — a claim Tehran denies. Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, who are at war with a Saudi-led coalition which is trying to restore Yemen’s internationally-recognised government to power, have claimed they carried out the strikes.

American officials released satellite images of the damage and said the attackers used multiple cruise missiles and drone aircraft. IndependentCadman confirmed that he had travelled to Pakistan to deliver the letter of acceptance and evidence and to attend the high court hearings. He added: “This clearly demonstrates the level of cooperation between the two states and is a significant step forward in the fight against serious and organised crime.”

An application was made yesterday before the Islamabad High Court to seek a period of time to present the evidence obtained from the UK authorities, collected as part of their investigations into the murder of Imran Farooq, and for an officer of the Metropolitan Police Service to produce the evidence and provide his statement on the investigation.

Writing on behalf of Secretary of the State, the UK Central Authority official confirmed that Pakistan requested for assistance on February 21, 2019 by Sikandar Hayat of the Ministry of Interior.

The letter stated that “the request has been considered and accepted by the UKCA on behalf of the Secretary of State in relation on the assurance against the imposition of the death penalty given in your letter of 26 June 2019, the promulgation of the Pakistan Penal Code (amendment) Bill 2019 and on the basis that the defendants continue to be detained in compliance with international human rights laws”.

The Home Office letter confirmed: “The letter of request dated 21st February has been forwarded to the Metropolitan Police Service who are in the process of reviewing and collating the evidence sought. I will continue discussions with Toby Cadman to arrange transmission on an expedited basis. Please note that this evidence may not be used for any purpose other than that specified in your letter of request, namely the prosecution of Khalid Shamim, Syed Mohsin Ali and Moazzam Ali Khan before the honourable Anti-Terrorism Court. Should you wish to use this evidence for any other purpose you must seek the consent of the UKCA in advance of the material being used.”

Earlier in September, it was reported that Shumaila Imran Farooq, the widow of Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s slain founding leader Dr Imran Farooq, had been diagnosed with cancer.