Saudi Arabia ‘has no regional ambitions’

JEDDAH: 16 April 2015

has no regional ambitions, said its ambassador to the US Adel Al-Jubeir, adding that the Operation Decisive Storm is to restore legitimacy in embattled Yemen.

Addressing a press conference in Washington, he said Saudi Arabia is determined to expel Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) in Yemen and is supporting US efforts in the fight against the terror group.

“The aerial campaign against the Houthis has fulfilled many of its objectives,” Jubeir said, adding that the Shiite militia and the troops loyal to former President Abdullah Saleh are in a vulnerable situation.

Al-Jubeir said Saudi Arabia was not in a proxy war against Iran, accused of arming the Houthis. “The Kingdom has always tried to establish better relations with the Iranians but they never reciprocated,” Al-Jubeir said.

“We will never be hostile toward Iran,” Al-Jubeir told reporters but maintained that Tehran has no say in political dialogue in Yemen, which is reserved for the Yemenis. He said the political process would improve the situation in Yemen.

Al-Jubeir said that Tuesday’s Security Council resolution, slapping an arms embargo on the Houthis, would bring stability to Yemen.