World

Yemen war imposed on us, says Al-Jubeir

Iran’s role destructive, dangerous — Johnson

March 08, 2018
Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir with his British counterpart, Boris Johnson, at a press conference in London on Wednesday night. — Courtesy photo
Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir with his British counterpart, Boris Johnson, at a press conference in London on Wednesday night. — Courtesy photo

Saudi Gazette report

FOREIGN minister Adel Al-Jubeir has asserted that the war in Yemen was imposed on the Kingdom.

“The war in Yemen is not a war of the choice of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This is not a war of our choice, but it was imposed on us,” he told a joint press conference with his British counterpart, Boris Johnson, in London, Wednesday evening.

He said Saudi Arabia agreed with Britain “on the need to deter Iran and stop its support for terrorism.”

“We support the transitional process and the political dialogue in Yemen,” he added.

He pointed out that “the Houthis have rebuffed all attempts to reach a political solution in Yemen.”

Al-Jubeir affirmed the Kingdom’s continued humanitarian assistance to Yemen after the war, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.

He pointed to the launch of a strategic partnership with Britain covering many areas.

In another context, Al-Jubeir stressed the existence of great opportunities for cooperation with Britain to achieve the Saudi Vision 2030, adding that “Vision 2030 includes a comprehensive restructuring process.”

Addressing the joint press conference, Johnson said Iran was playing a destructive and dangerous role in Yemen and destabilizing the region.

“The Saudi government has formed an alliance to support the legitimate government in Yemen,” Johnson said. The British minister pointed to “a British-Saudi agreement to control shipping lines in preparation for the opening of Yemeni ports.”

The press conference was held in London on the sidelines of the visit currently being paid to the United Kingdom by Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense.

Al-Jubeir pointed out that they held intensive consultations on several issues and challenges that affect stability in the region and emphasized the need to deter Iran and cease its influence and destabilizing policies.

He said, “We are working together to strengthen cooperation in other files to present ideas on the Middle East peace process and enhance cooperation in the field of security.”

Al-Jubeir pointed out that the Houthis have looted more than $4 billion from the central banks in Yemen and they are working on smuggling and controlling telecommunications companies in order to finance their war.

As for the Kingdom’s vision, Al-Jubeir said, “Most of the Saudi society are youths, under the age of 30, and a large number of them have gone to study in different places in the world, starting from Japan to the United States of America in various disciplines. Our role as a government lies in assisting them to achieve their endeavors and ambitions. This matter can be achieved if we are engaged in diversifying our economy away from oil. To achieve our vision, we must enjoy transparency and efficiency. And this is an integral part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, which includes the restructuring of most government institutions to cope with the challenges of this stage. “

The British foreign secretary confirmed his country’s support for the Kingdom in defending its security, commending Saudi Arabia’s role in the reconstruction of Yemen.


March 08, 2018
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