The Saudi-Yemeni Coordination Council meets in Riyadh this Saturday, chaired by Crown Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Premier, Minister of Defense and Aviation and Inspector General, with Yemen representation led by its Prime Minister Ali Muhammed Mujawwar. Speaking exclusively to Okaz and Saudi Gazette from the Yemeni capital Sana'a, Prime Minister Al-Mujawwar discussed efforts to confront Houthi rebels at respective borders, the role of Iran in the conflict, the fight against Al-Qaeda, and Yemen's aspirations for the future development. Al-Mujawwar described his country's relations with the Kingdom as “excellent”, with “great strides” made in joint work to confront terrorism and the Houthi rebels. “There has been an exchange of information which has helped greatly to hit those elements, and with this coordination we are sure will drive out the rebels and terrorists,” he said. “This political resolve will also lead on to comprehensive economic, political, cultural and social partnerships,” Al-Mujawwar said. “Despite the influx of investment from Saudi Arabia we would like to say that both countries wish to see more, and we look with interest at this area which is important for economic and social development, to provide jobs for the unemployed, which in turn will help achieve security and stability.” On the role of Iran in the conflicts, Al-Mujawwar said that “transparent relations based on mutual respect” were key. “We've seen contradictions in the Iranian position regarding the rebels, as while Iran says it wishes to see a secure, safe and stable Yemen, we also find statements from high officials conflicting with that position as well as openly aggressive stances in some parts of the Iranian media and clear bias towards the rebels, and support for their terrorist acts. We ask our brothers in Iran to review their positions to improve relations and not make them worse.” Al-Qaeda has suffered from the “preemptive strikes” made against it, Al-Mujawwar said, and they “have been unable to regroup”. “These strikes against the terrorists will continue,” he said. “This terrorist organization has damaged the country's economy and paralyzed tourism by giving Yemen a bad reputation,” he said. “We have had assistance from our American friends, as we have with the rest of the world, in the fight against terrorism, of which Al-Qaeda is one of the most notable symbols along with the state terrorism of Israel against the Palestinian people. The US has also provided assistance in development areas,” he added. The prime minister also gave assurances that any Saudis held by authorities in Yemen would be returned to the Kingdom. “If any Saudi from Al-Qaeda is detained, he will most certainly be handed over to the Kingdom, and the same is true the other way round,” he said. On the Coordination Council, Al-Mujawwar described it as “the cornerstone of relations between the two countries,” saying that the three days of meetings would see the signing of nine agreements. “They cover higher education, public health, water and drainage, electricity, social securities, culture and tourism and other areas. The signings will give a big boost to the countries' relations and will benefit both peoples greatly,” Al
