Saudi Deputy Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have stressed that dialogue represents the only way to achieve a stable, unified, and prosperous Yemen.
State Department Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said following talks between Pompeo and Prince Khalid at the State Department on Wednesday that discussions focused on the situation in Yemen.
Pompeo stressed US support for a negotiated resolution to the Yemeni crisis, said Ortagus.
They also “discussed a broad range of bilateral and regional issues, including the need for stronger maritime security in order to promote freedom of navigation,” in addition to “the Iranian regime’s destabilizing activities in the region.”
Pompeo said on his Twitter account that he had a “productive” meeting with Prince Khalid.
He said it was “very important” for the unity, stability, and prosperity of Yemen that the Yemeni government and the Southern Transitional Council resolve their dispute.
The Saudi Deputy Minister of Defense is set to hold meetings with top US defense officials during his visit to Washington.
Ahead of his talks with Prince Khalid, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper said during a joint press conference with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford at the Pentagon on Wednesday that the US helps the Arab Coalition led by Saudi Arabia for defensive purposes.
