Saudi-led Op aims to protect Yemenis from occupation by radical group -- Jubeir

WASHINGTON, March 29 (KUNA) -- Saudi Arabia entered the military action in Yemen at the invitation of the legitimate Yemeni government, and the Saudis are there "to protect the people of Yemen from an occupation by a radical group that is bent on turning Yemen toward more radicalism," Saudi Ambassador to the United States Adel A. Al-Juibeir said in an NBC "Meet the Press" interview on Sunday.
Al-Juibeir described the U.S.-Saudi relationship as "very, very strong." "We had talks about the possible options (in Yemen) of using force with the United States for many months," he said. "This option became much more serious in the last few weeks, and in the run-up to making the decision and putting together the coalition we were in constant touch with the White House and other U.S. government agencies about this." The Saudi decision to use military force was made at the last moment because of the developments that were happening with regards to the Houthis' potential occupation of Aden, Jubeir said. "We have not made the decision to send ground troops (into Yemen), and so far it has been an air campaign, and we have a plan in motion, and we are executing this plan," he said.
"We are not contemplating this issue," he said, referring to the option of sending Saudi ground troops into Yemen. "We are determined to degrade and destroy the Houthi capabilities. We are determined to protect and preserve the legitimate government of Yemen, and we did promise to protect the people of Yemen. And so we will continue this campaign until the objectives are achieved." Jubeir termed the operations as "a war to protect the people of Yemen and defend its legitimate government. But I would not call it the proxy war, because we are doing this to protect Yemen." Regarding the talks with Iran on its nuclear program, Jubeir said Saudi Arabia wants "a solid deal that denies Iran the ability to make a nuclear weapon -- a deal that is verifiable (and) cuts all avenues to a nuclear weapon for Iran. ... So we are waiting to see the results of the negotiations before we assess the deal." With regard to Yemen, the Saudis are "very pleased with the support we are getting from the United States," whether it is intelligence, logistics or political support, he said. The two countries have very strong counter-terrorism cooperation, military ties and commercial ties, he said.
Asked about how the Saudis are dealing with ISIL, Jubeir said, "We are fighting them as we speak," and if individuals in the Kingdom would provide funding to ISIL, "we will punish them. In fact we have arrested a number of them, and they are sitting in our jails." (end) rm.ibi