Mike Pompeo calls Saudi Crown Prince to thank him for advancing Yemen political process

US Secretary of State is currently in Kuwait

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks during a news conference with Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sabah Al-Khalid al-Sabah (not pictured) in Kuwait City, Kuwait March 20, 2019. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee
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Secretary of State Mike Pompeo thanked Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in a phone call on Tuesday, the US State Department said on Wednesday.

According to a press release Mr Pompeo called the Saudi Crown Prince to thank him for his "support for UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths’ efforts to advance the political process in Yemen.”

"The Secretary and the Crown Prince agreed on the need for parties to adhere to the agreements made in Sweden,” and discussed human rights issues and broader developments in the region. The press release didn't offer further details on the topics of discussion.

Mr Pompeo, who is in Kuwait, reiterated his support for political movement in Yemen and the UN-brokered agreement reached in December.

The US administration is closely coordinating with the UN and the United Kingdom to implement the Stockholm process in Hodeidah, in a bid to launch successful political negotiations. The US Congress has also increased pressure on the Trump administration when the Senate voted last week in favour of withdrawing US troops from Yemen unless they are fighting Al Qaeda.

The House of Representatives is expected to vote in the coming two weeks on the same bill, which is expected to pass but then face a veto by President Donald Trump.

Diplomatic sources who have recently visited Saudi Arabia told The National there is more keenness in Riyadh to work for a political settlement for the war, and agreed that they can't come to a military solution, but a diplomatic one instead.