Biden, addresses to Saudi King "longstanding partnership"

WASHINGTON, Feb 25 (KUNA) -- US President Joe Biden spoke Thursday with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud "to address the longstanding partnership" between the two countries. The White House said in a statement that "together they discussed regional security, including the renewed diplomatic efforts led by the United Nations and the United States to end the war in Yemen, and the US commitment to help Saudi Arabia defend its territory as it faces attacks from Iranian-aligned groups." It added that Biden told King Salman "he would work to make the bilateral relationship as strong and transparent as possible." "The two leaders affirmed the historic nature of the relationship and agreed to work together on mutual issues of concern and interest," it noted. (end) si.ibi