Kerry, Saudi counterpart discuss ISIL, relations with Iran

WASHINGTON, Sept 23 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of State John Kerry met with his Saudi counterpart Prince Saud Al-Faisal in New York on Monday, where they discussed their partnership to combat ISIL, as well as Saudi Arabia's relations with Iran.
A senior State Department official speaking on background described the meeting as "constructive" and "amiable." "Let me stress that Prince Saud said what the King had told Secretary Kerry before in Jeddah; that they would do anything they possibly could to support the coalition effort (against ISIL) there," the official said.
The two leaders further discussed Saudi Arabia's strained relations with Iran, adding that Kerry was encouraged by recent communication between the two countries.
"Prince Saud said that he'd had a good meeting with (his Iranian counterpart Mohammed Javad) Zarif and that he would have a follow-on meeting in Riyadh," the official affirmed. "The Secretary was pleased that they were talking directly". (end) ys.hb