LONDON — US Secretary of State John Kerry said his country understands the challenges that Saudi Arabia and other countries in the region feel about interference in their internal affairs, In his talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir, Kerry insisted Thursday that the US and Saudi ties remain strong despite recent tensions over Washington's outreach to Iran. The top envoys met in London for talks on a variety of Middle East issues, including the wars in Syria and Yemen and the imminent implementation of the Iran nuclear deal.
Washington has used the deal, under which Tehran agreed to limit its nuclear ambitions in exchange for a softening on sanctions, as a springboard to seek more productive ties with its old foe.
But at the same time Riyadh's relations with Iran, long hostile, have plunged to new lows. Saudi Arabia cut off diplomatic contact with Tehran last week after an Iranian mob ransacked its embassy there.
Saudi Arabia has regarded Kerry's cautious outreach to Tehran — and burgeoning relationship with its Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif — with suspicion, and the London visit was designed to rebuild trust.
"We agree, first of all, the alliance, the friendship between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia remains a lynchpin of our efforts in the region. It's important. We both agree with that, on both sides," Kerry told reporters as he welcomed Al-Jubeir.
Without mentioning Iran, Kerry expressed sympathy for Saudi Arabia's concerns — shared by the United States — over its web of influence in the Arab world.
"We also understand the challenges that the Kingdom and other countries feel in the region about interference in their countries," he said.
"We want to try to see if there's a way, moving forward, to resolve some of these problems without moving to greater conflict. The last thing the region needs is more conflict," he continued.
"And I know that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia agrees with that. But there are simple things they would like to see done that help prevent that."
The United States expressed concern after Saudi Arabia executed a Shiite cleric accused of fomenting sedition.
Sheikh Nimr Al-Nimr's death triggered outrage in Iran, and the protest led to ransacking of the Saudi embassy, an act Riyadh blamed on Tehran.
Al-Jubeir responded: "I think if you look at the challenges our region faces, whether in Syria, whether in Yemen, whether terrorists, whether in Iran's interference in the affairs of the region, or Libya, the most effective ways for us to work through these challenges is through our close partnership and alliance with the United States of America."
Al-Jubeir also held talks with British Minister of State for Middle East Affairs Topias Ellwood. The talks covered bilateral relations between the two countries, Mideast issues including the situation in Yemen and the Syrian conflict.
Kingdom condemns terror attacks in Pakistan, Indonesia
The Kingdom strongly condemns terrorist attacks in the Pakistani city of Quetta, the Indonesian capital of Jakarta and Kolofeta District in Cameroon, an official source at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement issued in Riyadh.
"These terrorist acts, which target security and stability in all parts of the world, contradict with the principles of Islam and all human values and international laws," the source was quoted by Saudi Press Agency as saying.
The source offered condolences to the families of victims and the governments of the brotherly and friendly countries, wishing the injured a speedy recovery. In a separate statement, the Board of Senior Ulema also condemned the terrorist attacks.
