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Pakistan to send Defence Minister to Saudi Arabia after Yemen strikes

Xinhua, March 27, 2015 Adjust font size:

Pakistan is sending its defence minister and top security adviser to Saudi Arabia on Friday to assess the situation after the Kingdom led strikes against rebels in Yemen, the Prime Minister's office said late Thursday.

The Foreign Ministry said earlier that Saudi Arabia has contacted Pakistan to provide assistance against the rebels in Yemen.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif presided over a high-level emergency meeting to discuss recent developments in the Middle East, a statement from the PM office said.

"It was decided that on 27th March, 2015 a delegation comprising Federal Minister for Defence and Advisor to Prime Minister on National Security would visit Saudi Arabia to assess the situation," the statement said.

Senior representatives from the armed forces would also accompany the delegation.

"The meeting concluded that any threat to Saudi Arabia's territorial integrity would evoke a strong response from Pakistan," the PM office said.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan enjoys close and brotherly relations with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries and attaches great importance to their security.

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Defence, Khawaja Muhammad Asif; Advisor to PM on National Security, Mr. Sartaj Aziz; Chief of the Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif and Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman.

The Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tasnim Asalm said that Pakistan is reviewing request from Saudi Arabia for help against the rebels in Yemen.

The Saudi state news agency earlier reported "Pakistan, Jordan, Sudan, Morocco & Egypt declared their willingness to participate in Al-Hazm Storm Operation." Endi