Saudi Arabia welcomed on Thursday US President Joe Biden’s declaration of his country’s commitment to the continue cooperation with the Kingdom against threats.
“Saudi Arabia faces missile attacks, UAV (drone) strikes and other threats from Iranian-supplied forces in multiple countries. We’re going to continue to support and help Saudi Arabia defend its sovereignty and its territorial integrity and its people,” said Biden as he outlined his administration’s foreign policy.
Saudi Arabia welcomed his stance, underscoring its firm support to a comprehensive political solution to the conflict in Yemen.
It also welcomed the United States’ reiteration of the importance of diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis.
Riyadh stressed that it has carried out several significant steps aimed at boosting opportunities to advance the political process in Yemen. It cited the Saudi-led Arab coalition’s declaration last year of a unilateral ceasefire in response to a call by the United Nations chief.
The Kingdom announced that it was looking forward to working with the Biden administration and concerned parties to reach a comprehensive solution based on UN Security Council resolution 2216, the Gulf initiative and national dialogue outcomes.
It also said it was looking forward to continue and bolster cooperation and coordination with the US to confront challenges in the region, including pushing forward the Middle East peace process, resolving conflicts and supporting stability in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Horn of Africa and Sahel region. It underlined cooperation and coordination in confronting terrorism and extremism and the coronavirus pandemic.
The Kingdom said it was keen on working with the US in stabilizing the oil and financial markets as partners in the G20 and protecting joint interests and bolstering security and stability in the region and world.
Biden had also declared in his remarks that Washington was ceasing its support for offensive operations in the war in Yemen.
His National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan revealed that the administration had consulted with senior officials from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates over this move.
Washington also appointed diplomat Timothy Lenderking as the US special envoy for Yemen.
Riyadh – Asharq Al-Awsat
