King Salman receives UK Foreign Secretary
Hunt is seeking to build support for new action to bolster UN-led peace process in Yemen
Manama: Saudi King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz on Monday received UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt.
The meeting reviewed relations and cooperation between the two countries and the latest regional developments, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
Hunt has embarked on a two-leg tour in the Gulf that is taking him to Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
In Saudi Arabia, Hunt was scheduled to also meet Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman and Foreign Minister Adel Al Jubeir and will press for an end to the bloodshed in Yemen, the Foreign Office said.
Hunt will also hold talks with Yemen’s Vice President Ali Mohsen and Foreign Minister Khalid Al Yamani.
According to the Office statement, Hunt is seeking to build support among international, and particularly regional partners, for new action in the UN Security Council to bolster the UN-led peace process, following his meeting with UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths last month.
Hunt will be the first UK Minister to visit Saudi Arabia since the announcement of the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in October.
Speaking ahead of his visit Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the only solution to the war in Yemen was a political decision to set aside arms and pursue peace.
Hunt’s visit to Saudi Arabia follows meetings held separately by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammad with Simon McDonald, the Special Envoy of British Prime Minister.
Relations between the two countries were reviewed during the meetings, the official news agency reported.