Saudi king meets Pompeo over bilateral ties

RIYADH - Saudi King Salman bin Abdelaziz on Monday met with visiting US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo over bilateral ties, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The two discussed the latest developments in the Middle East region and relevant efforts, SPA said.

Meanwhile, Pompeo also discussed with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud about the need to promote de-escalation in Yemen, Al Arabiya TV reported.

Their discussion also covered the strategic partnership between the two countries and the latest regional and international developments.

According to a statement issued by the US Embassy in Saudi Arabia, Pompeo repeated the US call for a cessation of hostilities in Yemen and all parties to negotiate a peaceful solution to the conflict.

On the death of the Saudi Journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the US official said Washington will hold all those involved accountable, and Saudi Arabia must do the same.

Pompeo arrived in Riyadh on Sunday and will soon leave for Oman, the last destination of his current Middle East trip, after he decided to cut short the tour to attend a family funeral.