Obama, Saudi King Discuss Yemen

U.S. President Barack Obama spoke by telephone with the king of Saudi Arabia on Friday to discuss developments in Yemen, the White House said.



The two leaders talked about "the recent adoption of a resolution on Yemen in the United Nations Security Council and next steps in the effort to resume the political transition in Yemen, including talks facilitated by the United Nations," according to a White House statement.



Obama and King Salman agreed to achieve "lasting stability in Yemen through a negotiated political solution facilitated by the United Nations and involving all parties as envisioned in the GCC Initiative."



The GCC refers to the Gulf Cooperation Council, an economic and political partnership of six Persian Gulf Arab states, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the Unites Arab Emirates.



During the phone call, the king also discussed the importance of responding to the humanitarian needs of the Yemeni people.



UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Thursday called for an immediate cease-fire to allow for lifesaving humanitarian aid and the restoration of peace in the country.



The Security Council adopted a resolution Tuesday that imposed a global asset freeze and travel ban on Ahmed Saleh, son of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, and Abdul Malik al Houthi, a Houthi leader. It also said Houthi militants must withdraw from seized territory and government institutions they seized.



The UN estimates more than 731 victims have been killed in Yemen since March 19.



www.aa.com.tr/en - Washington DC