Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid Bin Salman met on Wednesday with Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalek Saeed, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Thursday.

During the meeting, they discussed Saudi Arabia’s efforts and initiatives to achieve security, stability and peace in Yemen. They also reviewed the potentials and aspects of cooperation between the two countries.

The Saudi deputy defense minister confirmed that Kingdom's initiatives and positions toward the neighboring country are shaped by the deep-rooted ties binding the governments and people of the two countries.

Taking to Twitter, Prince Khalid said: “Met with Yemeni Prime Minister @drmaeensaeed to review our close cooperation, which is based on our common vision for peace and security, and discussed the Kingdom’s assistance to Yemen and its positive implications on the wellbeing and prosperity of the Yemeni people,”

“KSA is committed to support the Yemeni gov. in all fields, as well as supporting all efforts to end the conflict, implement a ceasefire, alleviate the humanitarian crisis, and reach a political resolution that guarantees peace and prosperity for the brotherly people of Yemen,” he added in his tweet.

For his part, the Yemeni premier extended his thanks to and appreciation of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman for their for Yemen and the Yemenis, lauding the past and current assistance being offered to his country by the Kingdom.

During the meeting, the Yemeni prime minister briefed the Saudi deputy defense minister on the current political, military, security, economic and services, including the efforts being exerted by the Yemeni government since its formation from its provisional capital of Aden, to deal with the existing challenges, particularly the economic and security aspects.

Maeen Abdulmalek lauded the recently-announced grant of oil derivatives for the electricity sector in the liberated governorates extended by the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program, citing their positive impact on all governorates.

During the talks, the Saudi deputy defense minister and the Yemeni prime minister underscored the importance of the Saudi initiative to bring about peace in Yemen.

They also called upon the world community to shoulder its responsibility and play its role to mount pressure on the Houthis to accept the proposal to end the crisis.