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Theresa May has hailed Saudi Arabia for allowing women to drive and said she wanted to see more females in the workplace across the Middle East.

But she also revealed she will push for the end of a blockade affecting humanitarian access to Yemen during talks with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince tomorrow night.

Saudi Arabia backs Yemen's internationally recognised government against Iran-backed Houthi rebels, and faces intense condemnation over its bombing and military action.

Earlier this month the Saudi-led coalition mounted a sea and air blockade in an effort to prevent supplies reaching Houthi rebels but has since lifted some of the restrictions.

Speaking as she arrived in the Middle East tonight, Mrs May vowed to raise humanitarian issues during her meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

(Image: AFP)

The PM has resisted calls to suspend arms sales to Saudi, which is leading the bombing campaign in Yemen.

Since it began in March 2015, £3.3billion of UK sales have been licensed, but Mrs May says the nation is a key security partner.

Quizzed on how she might make the Saudis change their views, she said: "First of all we are very concerned, obviously about the humanitarian situation in the Yemen.

"The United Kingdom is now the third biggest bilateral donor of humanitarian aid to the Yemen.

"We are very clear that we want to see full humanitarian and commercial access through the port of Hodeida. Obviously that is an issue I will be raising when I am in Saudi Arabia."

But she added that she welcomed the recent social reforms, adding: "We have already seen some changes taking place in Saudi Arabia, for example women being allowed to drive."

She said building a relationship with Saudi Arabia will enable a "greater knowledge and understanding" between the two countries as they look to address issues which are of concern.

And on Thursday Mrs May will call for more employment opportunities for women across the region as she meets members of the Arab Women's Enterprise Fund.