Prime Minister: Saudi Arabia and Yemen remain strong allies

In a recent address to the press, Prime Minister Mohamed Salem Basendwa maintained that Yemen and Saudi Arabia enjoyed strong relations in spite of the recent kidnaping of Vice-Consul Abdullah bin Mohamed al-Khalidi.

Ever since the abduction of its official by al-Qaeda militants in the southern sea-port of Aden, Saudis have been urging the Yemeni government to arrange for its immediate release, stepping up in the same time its security details by fear of further attack against its nationals.

Moreover, the Kingdom decided as a reaction to the kidnapping to halt all visa issuing activities for Yemenis, prompting fear of a freeze in relations in between the two nations.

However, Prime Minister Basendwa was keen to stress that Yemen still very much valued Saudi Arabia’s help and support and consider its Oil giant of a neighbor a key ally in the region and an important politic, economic and cultural partner, especially in Yemen’s fight against terrorism.

He further pointed out that the Friends of Yemen Conference will be held in Riyadh end of May as scheduled as to plan for the country’s economic recovery plan after a disruptive and destructive year.

Saudi Arabia so far played an important role in stabilizing Yemen’s political crisis, often acting as a mediator but also as financial sponsor as it continues to support the country and offered to meet its petroleum products demands for both May and June.

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