Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs, stressed the depth of historical and strong relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom, pointing out that these relations are based on mutual respect, the service of joint common interest and the endeavour to achieve international peace and security. These relations were clearly reflected by a visit to the United Kingdom paid by a Saudi senior delegation led by the Deputy Crown Prince. During this visit, bilateral relations in various fields between the two countries were discussed. During a joint press conference with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond at the headquarters of the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Riyadh today, Prince Saud said: 'As an extension of cooperation between the two countries, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and the Crown Prince received today the British Foreign Secretary. During the two audiences, important regional and international issues were discussed, particularly in light of the serious situation witnessed by the region as well as the need for exchanging opinions and consultation, coordinating stances and agreeing on ways to address such issues.' 'At the forefront of these files, the serious escalation in Yemen - carried out by Al-Houthi militia coup against the constitutional legitimacy - represents a threat to the security and stability of Yemen, the region and the whole world,' Prince Saud said, noting in this regard the positive and constructive role of the United Kingdom of Britain as well as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and international partners in supporting the Gulf initiative and its executive mechanism or in presiding over the Conference of the Friends of Yemen. 'The solution in Yemen can only be reached through international consensus rejecting the coup and its consequences, including the withdrawal of armed Al-Houthi from all state institutions in addition to enabling the legitimate government to practice its constitutional tasks,' Prince Saud added, stressing that Gulf and Yemeni security is an integral part. The Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed 'the importance of immediate response to the invitation of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi regarding holding a conference in Riyadh under the umbrella of the Gulf Cooperation Council to be attended by all Yemeni political parties who are willing to maintain security and stability in Yemen. This conference is supported by the government of England.' Prince Saud Al-Faisal: 'We reviewed efforts of Group 5+1 and its negotiations to resolve the Iranian nuclear crisis through peaceful means and work to guarantee that this program is not transformed into a nuclear weapon threatening the security of the region and the world, particularly in light of the aggressive policies pursued by Iran in the region and ongoing interventions in the affairs of the Arab countries and its endeavors to stir up sectarian conflict.' 'I suggested to His Excellency that the solution of the issue of Iran's nuclear weapons are possible through a proposal of the Arab League aiming at making the Arabian Gulf Region and the Middle East a zone free of weapons of mass destruction. It is not possible to grant Iran deals which it does not deserve in contrast,' the Minister of Foreign Affairs added. 'Our discussions also addressed our joint efforts within the international coalition to fight terrorist ISIS which confirms, day after another, that it is nothing more than a form of cross-border and continents terrorism which requires us to fight it relentlessly in accordance with a clear strategy, specific targets, influential capabilities and a collective spirit to combat this terrorist organization in order to protect the world of its risks and uproot from its roots,' Prince Saud added. Prince Saud Al-Faisal said: 'Regarding the Syrian tragedy, there is an international consensus that the principles of 'the Geneva 1 Declaration' are represented a peaceful solution of the crisis through formation of a transitional body to rule with full powers to manage the state affairs in various political, security and military fields and with broad participation of all Syrian political, religious and ethnic elements. But Bashar Al-Assad and every one whose hands stained with the blood of Syrian people would not have any current or future role in this arrangement. Based on the Kingdom's view in order to achieve this target, it is important to support moderate opposition militarily to carry out balance on the ground.' The Minister of Foreign Affairs added: 'We also discussed the latest developments of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The Kingdom considered the Prime Minister the Zionist entity's statements and commitments regarding not establishment of the Palestinian state in his era as a flagrant challenge to the international will and principles of its legitimacy, resolutions and agreements. In this regard, the international community should fulfill its responsibilities towards this aggressive policies if we really want to reach a just, comprehensive and lasting solution to the conflict, restoration of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and establishment of an independent and viable state.' For his part, British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said: 'I am pleased to be here in Riyadh today, for a series of meetings with the Government of Saudi Arabia. The United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have a long history of friendship, understanding and cooperation on a range of issues: defense, security, trade and investment and regional issues. Today was an opportunity to reiterate our commitment to the security and stability of the region. 'The UK is extremely concerned about the deteriorating security situation in Yemen. We reiterate our continuing support for President Hadi, Yemen legitimate President, and welcome the convening of a regional conference in Riyadh by the Gulf Cooperation Council. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia leadership in dealing with this worsening problem is very much valued,' he added. 'The international community will not stand idly while Al-Houthi and other parties' forces continue to undermine stability in Yemen and seek to undermine the legitimate president,' he stressed. 'We have also had an opportunity to discuss the ongoing global coalition that is countering ISIS. Britain welcomes Saudi Arabia military contributions to the campaign, alongside British military assets and expertise. But we are all clear that military efforts alone will not defeat ISIS, we are also working together on stopping the flow of foreign fighters and the financing of these extremists, and most importantly, countering their poisonous narrative,' the British Foreign Secretary added. British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said that 'we also discussed the ongoing efforts to achieve a comprehensive nuclear deal to ensure that Iran does not develop a nuclear weapons capability. Reaching a comprehensive, lasting and verifiable deal will be extremely challenging, but remains in all our interests.' On the peace process in the Middle East, Foreign Secretary Hammond explained that Britain remains clear that the two-state solution is the only way to find a lasting peace, pointing out that he and the Minister of Foreign Affairs share the concern about Middle East issues concerning the interests of both countries and the continuation of the peace process. After that Prince Saud Al-Faisal and British Foreign Secretary answered reporters' questions. Over the accuracy of information that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Britain have evacuated their two diplomatic missions in Aden and the GCC's position toward the bombing of Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Hadi's palace, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Saud Al-Faisal replied: 'As for the Kingdom, We are, of course, interested in the security of Saudi nationals working in the Embassy, yet there is no decision taken in this regard, and we aren going to protect our representatives in Yemen, but we are going to protect Yemen and the Yemeni legitimacy represented by President Abd Rabbo Hadi, and thus are they ready for the benefit of Yemen whatever might be in any way or any field. I think that all our friends would provide help if requested, especially if there is encroachment on legitimacy, and at this point, the application of Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations could be requested' For his part, the British Foreign Secretary said 'I think that Prince Saud Al-Faisal has explained the situation from the perspective of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we have agreed that we would discuss between us and with the Americans various options that we can take to confirm the position of President Hadi, support him and strengthen the legitimate government and support it in the face of aggression targeting it. No one of us sees a military solution for this conflict, we want to see all parties in Yemen discuss on basis of the GCC initiative's plan put forward on September 24 about security and safety in Yemen.' He added: 'We may be ready to interfere by using a series of actions that will apply pressure on the Houthis, support President Hadi . We are able to work well with a plan to provide support.' On the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's position and that of the GCC's Arab States about Iranian interference, especially in Yemen, the Minister of Foreign Affairs said: We are against any Iranian interference in the affairs of Arab countries, and its interference in Yemen or other comes as an aggression, and it is not at the request of the legitimacy in Yemen, so how can any one stand by this aggression. For his part, Secretary Hammond also explained that his country is with the legitimacy of President Hadi, and it doesn work alone but through a joint action with the United States of America, France, and the GCC's Arab States as well as through the Friends of Yemen, noting that they are appreciating the leadership in calling on the international community to respond to this crisis and deal with it. On the dialogue conference to be held at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the chance of its success, Prince Saud Al-Faisal stressed that invitations were sent to all Yemeni parties and there was no exception, saying, 'This was the president's decision to hold this meeting, and we provided the place and support for them; but no one has been rejected in the membership of this conference. We do not treat anyone differently from other parties, and there is no discrimination against any one; our goal is to provide a place for the President to return safely to Yemen, and provide the required leadership to restore the state to unity and development and the right of Yemenis in these two matters''. For his part, Secretary Hammond said that the basis of the dialogue for the Yemenis can be the partnership agreement, especially the GCC agreement and plan, noting that any discussion would be useful and meaningful if concerned parties participate in it as all parties are invited to this conference and will be treated with respect as equal partners in dialogue, hoping that all members of the international community apply this and make sure that all interested parties attend the meeting, stressing that the meeting will be a real one and has a meaningful and good dialogue to reach a peaceful solution to this crisis. On the visit of Iraqi Prime Minister to the Kingdom, Prince Saud Al-Faisal said that Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi is welcomed in the Kingdom if he wishes to visit it, noting that the Kingdom began to work on restoring the embassy to Baghdad, saying that his visit is welcomed to discuss bilateral relations, their development and any issue deemed useful by Iraq, especially the presence of organized terrorism which threatens Iraq's security and stability, and particularly the Kingdom is part of the coalition involving with Iraq in countering this terrorism. The Prince explained that what Iraq is doing in internal organization is an internal matter that does not concern us.
