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04:07 GMT
WASHINGTON, March 28 (KUNA) -- US President Barack Obama spoke to Saudi King Salman Bin Abdulaziz on Friday, and expressed his support for airstrikes launched by the Saudi-led Arab coalition on Houthi targets in Yemen, the White House revealed in a statement.
Obama "reaffirmed the strong friendship between the United States and Saudi Arabia and emphasized the United States' support for the action taken by Saudi Arabia, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) members, and others in response to President (Abd Rabbuh Mansur) Hadi's request and in support of the legitimate government of Yemen," the White House said.
He further "underscored our commitment to Saudi Arabia's security," and both Obama and King Salman "agreed that our collective goal is 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 statement affirmed.
On Thursday morning, THE Saudi-led coalition of more than 10 countries began military operations to protect people of Yemen and their legitimate government from the advancing Houthi militias.
The military intervention, dubbed "Operation Decisive Storm," was carried out at the request of the Yemeni government. Yemen has been gripped by increased turmoil since the Houthi rebels overran the capital, Sanaa, in September. (end)
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