Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received at Auja Palace on Thursday Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of the State Qatar (photo), and his accompanying delegation.
They reviewed fraternal ties between the two countries in addition to a number of issues of common interest and latest developments in the region.
The audience was attended by a number of Princes, Ministers and Senior Officials from both sides, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Furthermore, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman met on Friday his Egyptian counterpart Sedqi Sobhi in the capital Riyadh to discuss Egypt’s military participation in “Operation Decisive Storm” and ways to enhance the military coordination.
The visit also discussed ways to rid Yemen of Houthi militia and their supporters, and to restore legitimacy in Yemen, SPA said.
The Egyptian Minister arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday after a three-day visit to Pakistan.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Samih Shoukri said Cairo was willing “to send ground forces if necessary,” late last month, in a show of Egypt’s support to the Saudi-led operation against Houthis in Yemen, during an Arab League conference in Sharm al-Sheikh.
The Arab League also expressed support for “Operation Decisive Storm” and urged Houthis to “immediately withdraw from Sana’a, government institutions, and give their weapons to the legitimate authorities.”
Meanwhile, the Pakistani Parliament adopted a unanimous resolution on Yemen urging the government to remain neutral, offering instead to mediate a solution. However, the resolution backed the government’s commitment to protecting Saudi Arabia’s territory.
“The Arabian Gulf is in a dangerous confrontation, its strategic security is on the edge, and the moment of truth distinguishes between the real ally and the ally of media and statements,” said Anwar Gargash, the UAE’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs,
“The vague and contradictory stands of Pakistan and Turkey are an absolute proof that Arab security - from Libya to Yemen - is the responsibility of none but Arab countries, and the crisis is a real test for neighboring countries.”
Turkey earlier expressed its support to “Operation Decisive Storm” and said it would offer logistics support and intelligence support.
The Saudi-led coalition, formed of 10 regional countries, launched its military campaign against the Iran-backed Houthi militia on March 25 at the request of Yemeni President Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi.
Saudi Arabia has voiced its plan to continue the operation until it achieves its goals for Yemen to be stable and safe.
