King Salman hosts bin Zayed amid Sudan turmoil
Saudi Arabia's King Salman on Tuesday hosted Abu Dhabi's
crown prince for talks, state media said, after the Gulf allies threw their
support behind Sudan's military rulers who ousted veteran leader Omar
al-Bashir.
Abu Dhabi's Prince Mohammed bin Zayed discussed
"regional developments" with the king and his powerful son, Crown
Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the official Saudi Press Agency said in a brief
report.
After weeks of silence on Sudan's political turmoil, Saudi
Arabia and the UAE on Sunday released a brief reaction to Bashir's toppling
following months of street protests, calling for "stability" and a
"peaceful transition".
Saudi Arabia and the UAE both voiced backing for Sudan's
Transitional Military Council, with Riyadh promising an aid package to Sudanese
people.
Sudan plays a key role in the regional interests of Saudi
Arabia and its allies, siding with Riyadh against Shiite Iran and providing
troops in the Saudi-led coalition fighting in the Yemen war.
A senior Sudanese military official on Monday said troops
from his country will remain in Yemen until the Arab alliance achieves its
goals.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE intervened in the Yemen war in 2015
to fight Iran-aligned Huthi rebels and support the legitimate government of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi.
The Gulf powerhouses are also following events in Libya, where
forces loyal to warlord Khalifa Haftar launched an offensive on Tripoli, now
controlled by a UN-recognized government and an array of militias.