Al-Quds al-Arabi: Britain and the new Saudi ambassador

The London- based al-Quds al-Arabi daily said that Britain is hesitant in accepting Prince Turkey al-Faisal as an ambassador for Saudi Arabia in London in succession for the former ambassador Ghazi al-Queseibi, after Prince Turkey was summoned by an American court over helping to financing the Taliban regime in Afghanistan when that regime was giving shelter and protection for al-Qaida organization which is led by Osama Bin laden.

Meantime, a spokesman for the British foreign office has stressed to the paper, that so far, no British decision was issued on accepting or rejecting the appointment of Prince Turkey as an ambassador for his country in London..

The spokesman said it is not the diplomatic tradition to unveil the name of the candidate ambassador, and the matter is left to the government concerned to do so.

Diplomats in London believe that it is not common to have a delay in the reply of the British government for 6 month for nominating a new ambassador. They said that postponing giving a positive answer on that matter means "rejection."