Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Defence Prince Khalid bin Salman met US national security adviser Jake Sullivan in Washington on Tuesday and spoke about the long-standing partnership between the two nations.
They reviewed Saudi-US relations and discussed prospects for co-operation and co-ordination, and ways to support and enhance them, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The US national security adviser reiterated Washington's undertaking to co-operate with the kingdom on security issues, the White House said.
"Mr Sullivan reaffirmed President Biden's commitment to help Saudi Arabia defend its territory, and expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia's leadership in securing a UN-brokered truce in Yemen," the White House said. "They also discussed the importance of co-ordinating efforts to ensure global economic resilience."
The Saudi deputy defence minister is on a scheduled visit to Washington this week to co-chair the US-Saudi Arabia Strategic Joint Planning Committee.
Blinken meets with Yemeni counterpart
Also on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met his Yemeni counterpart Foreign Minister Ahmed bin Mubarak and emphasised Washington's support for efforts to end the conflict in Yemen, and to promote stability, safety and development in the country.
The US State Department said Mr Blinken thanked Mr bin Mubarak for his government’s efforts in enabling the departure of the first commercial flight from Sanaa International Airport since 2016 on May 16.
“Secretary Blinken discussed US support for securing and building on the UN-negotiated truce to achieve a comprehensive ceasefire and an inclusive political process that empowers Yemenis to determine their own future,” the US State Department said.
Last month Saudi Arabia said it was committed to stopping military operations in Yemen amid a resumption of peace talks.
Yemen’s new ruling Presidential Leadership Council has promised to work through the UN and international partners towards a political solution to the years-long conflict. It also insisted it is ready to fight to liberate the rest of the country from the Iran-backed Houthi rebels if they refuse dialogue.
