Obama Calls Saudi King Over Yemen Developments

vichie81/iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — President Obama spoke with the new king of Saudi Arabia on Friday over recent developments in Yemen, as Saudi Arabia continues to conduct airstrikes against rebels in parts of the country.

“The President reaffirmed the strong friendship between the United States and Saudi Arabia and emphasized the United States’ support for the action taken by Saudi Arabia, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members, and others in response to President Hadi’s request and in support of the legitimate government of Yemen,” National Security Council spokesperson Bernadette Meehan said in a statement.

In addition to underscoring the commitment by the U.S. to Saudi Arabia’s security, President Obama and King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud agreed on a collective goal to achieve “lasting stability” in Yemen through a negotiated political solution, according to Meehan.

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