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Saudi minister begins talks in Pakistan on Yemen conflict

Xinhua, April 13, 2015 Adjust font size:

A Saudi cabinet minister will open talks in Islamabad later Monday on the Yemen conflict days after Pakistan's parliament unanimously urged the government to maintain neutrality in the Saudi-led war on Shiite Houthis in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia had sought Pakistani fighter jets, warships and ground troops in the war when the country's Defense Minister Khwaja Asif and senior military officials traveled to the kingdom this month.

The United Arab Emirate (UAE), an ally of Saudi Arabia in the conflict, condemned the Pakistani decision and warned that Islamabad will have to pay a high price for it.

Pakistan dismissed what it called UAE threats as insult to the parliament.

Saudi Minister of Islamic Affairs, Sheikh Saleh bin Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Al Al-Sheikh, who arrived in Islamabad late Sunday, is scheduled to hold talks with Pakistani leaders on Pakistan's role in the conflict.

Saudi Arabia, which is a long-standing ally of Pakistan, has led a coalition to launch airstrikes on Shiite Houthis in Yemen.

The Saudi minister, who tried to dispel the impression of any tensions with Pakistan, said on his arrival statement that the unanimous passage of the resolution by the Pakistani parliament is Pakistan's internal matter.

"Saudi Arabia expects the best from Pakistan," the minister said.

The Saudi minister will hold official talks with his Pakistani counterpart Sardar Yousaf and is likely to call on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Pakistan currently has nearly 1,000 troops in Saudi Arabia but they are not deployed along the border with Yemen, Defense Minister Asif said.

Pakistanis are divided over the country's military support in the conflict, however, a vast majority wants to defend Saudi Arabia if its territorial integrity is threatened in view of the Muslim Holy Places. Endi