Kerry Says US-Saudi Friendship Stronger than Ever


TEHRAN (Tasnim) - US Secretary of State John Kerry said Sunday that Washington's friendship with Saudi Arabia is stronger than ever and that the two will work together to try to end wars in Syria and Yemen.

"We have as solid a relationship, as clear an alliance and as strong a friendship with the kingdom of Saudi Arabia as we have ever had," he said.

Kerry delivered the remarks to US Embassy employees a day after meeting with Saudi and other Perisian Gulf officials.

He said he had discussed "new ideas" to bring peace to Yemen, where the Saudi-backed government is battling Houthis.

He added that Saudi Arabia is "committed to work with us in the efforts to try to stabilize Syria and calm down this hyped-up, exploited division between Sunni and Shiite"

Saudi Arabia backs militant groups against Syrian President Bashar Assad.