Saudi prince visits Spain amid criticism over defense sales
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The crown prince of Saudi Arabia is on an official visit to long-time commercial ally Spain, where activists are criticizing past and possible future sales of military equipment to the kingdom.
Mohammed bin Salman was due to attend a banquet Thursday with Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia before meeting with Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and with Defense Minister Maria Dolores de Cospedal.
The 32-year-old heir to the Saudi throne and Rajoy were scheduled to preside over the signing of bilateral agreements, according to the visit's official agenda, which provided no further details.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Amnesty International, Greenpeace and Oxfam have criticized a possible contract to build and sell five Navy corvettes, valued at 2 billion euros ($2.47 billion), that Spain is seeking to sign with Saudi Arabia.