Saudi King, Trump discuss Mideast peace process over phone


Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud held a telephonic conversation with US President Donald Trump in which he said that it is necessary for the international community to move forward the Middle East peace process.

According to a Saudi Press Agency report on Tuesday, the Saudi king on Monday evening reaffirmed the kingdom’s steadfast position on the Palestinian cause and the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

The conversation came amid rising tensions between Israel and the Palestinians following the bloody clashes in the past days near the Israeli border with Gaza Strip that have left at least 15 Palestinian protesters dead and 1,200 others injured.

The Saudi king expressed his appreciation for a statement issued by the White House on its strong stance towards the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen.

The Houthi militias have stepped up their attacks on Saudi targets by firing missiles at the kingdom in retaliation for the Saudi-led Arab coalition’s airstrikes in Yemen.

The Saudi leader also pledged to make efforts to find a political solution to the Yemeni crisis and provide humanitarian aid to its people.

At the same time, the two leaders underlined the importance of the achievements of the concerted international efforts to fight terrorist organisations in Iraq and Syria.