Trump talks with Saudi king over phone on Yemen, Syria

WASHINGTON – U.S. President Donald Trump has talked by phone with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, discussing issues concerning Yemen, Syria and the Gulf disputes, said the White House on Tuesday. 

During the Monday phone call, Trump and the Saudi king agreed to push forward a political process to end the war in Yemen, said the White House in a statement. 

The Saudi-led military coalition has fought against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen since March 2015, leaving more than 10,000 Yemenis killed and over 3 million displaced. 

On Syria, the two leaders discussed joint work to endure the defeat of the extremist group Islamic State (IS) and counter Iranian efforts to "exploit the Syrian conflict," according to the statement. 

In the phone call, Trump also emphasized the importance of resolving the Gulf dispute and restoring a united Gulf Cooperation Council, it added. 

The Trump administration has reportedly postponed a summit with Gulf Arab leaders, which was originally scheduled for May, amid an ongoing dispute between Qatar and other U.S. allies. 

Trump's call conversation with the Saudi leader followed his meeting with visiting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud at the White House in late March. Enditem 
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