King emphasizes GCC-US pledge to defend region

RIYADH: Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman has thanked US President Barack Obama and leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries for committing to the region’s defense and security at their meeting in Camp David last week. King Salman, who chaired the weekly Cabinet session at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh on Monday, also briefed Cabinet members on his phone call with the US president, which focused on the two nations’ deep and strategic relations. The Cabinet, meanwhile, praised the king for setting up the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Works, Minister of Culture and Information Adel Al-Toraifi told the SPA following the meeting. The Cabinet highlighted the SR1 billion aid allocated for the Yemeni people, he said. The Cabinet also welcomed the convening of the Riyadh Conference on Yemen under the patronage of the GCC states, expressing hope that the Yemeni people would reach an agreement to ensure their country’s security and stability, and reversing the coup attempt by the Houthis. The Cabinet slammed the Houthis for “violation” of the humanitarian truce with repeated attacks across the borders of the Kingdom and inside Yemen, which had come into force last Tuesday. The Cabinet also commended the coalition forces for showing self-restraint. -Arabnews