WASHINGTON: Saudi Arabia and America should pursue "urgent efforts" to convey a calm finish to Yemen's struggle, US defense secretary Jim Mattis told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Thursday.
The two defense ministers additionally discussed ways Saudi Arabia may be able to be offering or facilitate some kind of a "safe haven" to more average Taliban individuals who're ready to barter for peace in Afghanistan, an legit mentioned.
Mattis and Prince Mohammed met on the Pentagon as a part of Prince Mohammed's excursion of the United States, which began this week with a White House visit.
"As you discussed with President (Donald) Trump on Tuesday, we must also reinvigorate urgent efforts to seek a peaceful resolution to the civil war in Yemen and we support you in this regard," Mattis told Prince Mohammed.
Mattis mentioned he believes Saudi Arabia is "part of the solution."
"They have stood by the United Nations-recognized government and we are going to end this war, that is the bottom line. And we are going to end it on positive terms for the people of Yemen, but also security for the nations in the peninsula," Mattis added.
Saudi Arabia leads a coalition in Yemen preventing the Iran-backed Huthi rebels.
The devastating three-year-old battle was an early proving flooring for the prince, who could also be the minister of defense, but it has been beset by way of allegations of atrocities in opposition to civilians, and strategic waft.
Just hours after the prince left the White House on Tuesday, the United States Senate rejected a bipartisan bid designed to curtail US beef up for the struggle, which includes air-to-air refueling of Saudi jets in addition to goal and intelligence sharing.
Mattis had lobbied Congress to reject the bill, warning that restrictions could build up civilian casualties, jeopardize counterterrorism cooperation, and "reduce our influence with the Saudis."
Speaking thru a translator, Prince Mohammed told Mattis that cooperation between the Pentagon and the dominion has "improved tremendously" of late.
More than nine,200 folks had been killed and tens of 1000's wounded in Yemen's struggle, which is observed as each a civil battle and a proxy struggle between regional titans Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White mentioned after the assembly that Mattis and Prince Mohammed did not talk about civilian casualties except for when it had been brought up by way of a reporter.
Separately, on Afghanistan, White mentioned Mattis and the prince discussed the problem of what to do with Taliban individuals open to peace talks.
During a visit to the war-torn nation remaining week, Mattis and different US officers claimed some Taliban parts are open to talking with the Afghan govt, after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani unveiled a plan to open peace talks with the insurgents.
"Ensuring that there is a safe haven for those who would want to negotiate a political solution is what they generally talked about," White told reporters.
The prince "was supportive of finding ways to help the reconciliation," she added.
"Not necessarily specifically safe haven but talking about (looking) at ways to help facilitate a political reconciliation for those Taliban members who are willing to talk."
Saudi Arabia nurtured the Taliban's rise in the 1990s and was one of handiest 3 countries, in conjunction with the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan, to acknowledge the Taliban govt.
White added that Saudi Arabia expressed an hobby in doing greater coaching with US forces, and noted that Trump had been hastening army gross sales to the dominion.
The two defense ministers additionally discussed ways Saudi Arabia may be able to be offering or facilitate some kind of a "safe haven" to more average Taliban individuals who're ready to barter for peace in Afghanistan, an legit mentioned.
Mattis and Prince Mohammed met on the Pentagon as a part of Prince Mohammed's excursion of the United States, which began this week with a White House visit.
"As you discussed with President (Donald) Trump on Tuesday, we must also reinvigorate urgent efforts to seek a peaceful resolution to the civil war in Yemen and we support you in this regard," Mattis told Prince Mohammed.
Mattis mentioned he believes Saudi Arabia is "part of the solution."
"They have stood by the United Nations-recognized government and we are going to end this war, that is the bottom line. And we are going to end it on positive terms for the people of Yemen, but also security for the nations in the peninsula," Mattis added.
Saudi Arabia leads a coalition in Yemen preventing the Iran-backed Huthi rebels.
The devastating three-year-old battle was an early proving flooring for the prince, who could also be the minister of defense, but it has been beset by way of allegations of atrocities in opposition to civilians, and strategic waft.
Just hours after the prince left the White House on Tuesday, the United States Senate rejected a bipartisan bid designed to curtail US beef up for the struggle, which includes air-to-air refueling of Saudi jets in addition to goal and intelligence sharing.
Mattis had lobbied Congress to reject the bill, warning that restrictions could build up civilian casualties, jeopardize counterterrorism cooperation, and "reduce our influence with the Saudis."
Speaking thru a translator, Prince Mohammed told Mattis that cooperation between the Pentagon and the dominion has "improved tremendously" of late.
More than nine,200 folks had been killed and tens of 1000's wounded in Yemen's struggle, which is observed as each a civil battle and a proxy struggle between regional titans Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Pentagon spokeswoman Dana White mentioned after the assembly that Mattis and Prince Mohammed did not talk about civilian casualties except for when it had been brought up by way of a reporter.
Separately, on Afghanistan, White mentioned Mattis and the prince discussed the problem of what to do with Taliban individuals open to peace talks.
During a visit to the war-torn nation remaining week, Mattis and different US officers claimed some Taliban parts are open to talking with the Afghan govt, after Afghan President Ashraf Ghani unveiled a plan to open peace talks with the insurgents.
"Ensuring that there is a safe haven for those who would want to negotiate a political solution is what they generally talked about," White told reporters.
The prince "was supportive of finding ways to help the reconciliation," she added.
"Not necessarily specifically safe haven but talking about (looking) at ways to help facilitate a political reconciliation for those Taliban members who are willing to talk."
Saudi Arabia nurtured the Taliban's rise in the 1990s and was one of handiest 3 countries, in conjunction with the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan, to acknowledge the Taliban govt.
White added that Saudi Arabia expressed an hobby in doing greater coaching with US forces, and noted that Trump had been hastening army gross sales to the dominion.
Saudi, US must pursue 'urgent efforts' for Yemen peace: Mattis
![Saudi, US must pursue 'urgent efforts' for Yemen peace: Mattis]()
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March 23, 2018
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