[gallery size="medium" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" td_gallery_title_input="Saudi-British ties expanding: Johnson" ids="105236,105240,105288"] Riyadh — Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Naif, deputy premier and minister of interior, held separate talks with British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and his accompanying delegation here on Sunday. The Crown Prince and the British foreign secretary discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in various areas, especially in the field of security and fighting extremism and terrorism. Johnson reiterated Britain's close ties to Saudi Arabia. He said in a joint news conference with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir that he had deep concern for Yemeni suffering but recognized Riyadh faced a grave threat from that country's conflict, in which the Kingdom is leading a coalition of Arab forces against Iranian-allied Yemeni militias. "I'm here to emphasize the friendship that exists between the UK and Saudi Arabia, and that is something that is developing and expanding," Johnson said. "And it's also fair to say that we believe in candor in our relationship. Now is the time for us to talk about the positive things that we are doing together." Asked if Riyadh had been getting mixed messages from Britain, Jubeir replied "Absolutely not". Jubeir said Johnson's comments had been misconstrued, and Britain and Saudi Arabia had enjoyed a long strategic relationship extending over 100 years. In London, Britain's Defense Secretary Sir Michael Fallon reiterated on Sunday UK's support for Saudi Arabia. "The government is absolutely clear that what Saudi Arabia is entitled to do is defend itself and it is also leading the coalition to restore the legitimate government of Yemen," he said in reply to a question on BBC One's Andrew Marr Show. The Kingdom has led since March 2015 a coalition launching operations in support of the Yemeni government of Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi against Houthi militias, who are backed by troops loyal to ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh. Sir Michael also clarified that British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson's comments on Saudi Arabia were "misreported." He told the BBC that Johnson's comments had been taken "out of context" and Saudi Arabia remained a "key ally of the UK". Sir Michael's comments came as Boris Johnson and accompanying delegation arrived in Riyadh on Sunday.
