Saudi king urges action against Iran, backs Yemen peace
Last updated on: 19 November,2018 07:07 pm
The king said Saudi Arabia supported U.N. efforts to end the conflict in Yemen.
RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia’s King Salman called on the international community on Monday (November 19) to halt Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programme. He also reiterated the kingdom’s support for United Nations’ efforts to end the war in Yemen.
The king’s remarks to the Shura Council, a top advisory body to the government, were his first public comments since the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the country’s consulate in Istanbul on October 2, which sparked a global outcry and strained Riyadh’s ties with the West.
King Salman, who made no direct mention of the Khashoggi affair during his speech, condemned the actions of Saudi Arabia’s arch-foe Iran, which is competing with the kingdom for influence across the region including in conflicts in Syria, Iraq and Yemen.
The king said Saudi Arabia supported U.N. efforts to end the conflict in Yemen, where a Saudi-backed coalition has been battling Iran-aligned Houthi rebels for nearly four years to restore the internationally-recognised government.