ISTANBUL

Oman’s foreign minister discussed efforts to contain escalation in Yemen and ways to support a political process toward a comprehensive settlement during talks with his Saudi counterpart on Wednesday.

Oman’s Foreign Ministry said talks between Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi and his Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan, focused on developments in Yemen and their implications for regional security and stability.

It said the two sides discussed efforts to contain escalation and support a political track aimed at addressing the root causes of the crisis and achieving a comprehensive and sustainable settlement that preserves Yemen’s sovereignty and stability while safeguarding the security interests of neighboring countries.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry said bin Farhan and Albusaidi met in Riyadh and reviewed bilateral relations and ways to strengthen cooperation across various fields and addressed regional developments and the need to continue efforts to achieve security and stability.

The meeting came a day after sharp tensions flared between Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) over Yemen, following an airstrike by the Arab coalition targeting two ships at the port of Mukalla in Yemen.

Oman said Tuesday it is closely following developments related to Yemen, reiterating its call for restraint, dialogue and de-escalation, and stressing respect for Yemen’s sovereignty, security and stability.

Amid the fast-moving dispute, Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council chairman Rashad al-Alimi announced the cancellation of a joint defense agreement with the UAE and ordered all Emirati forces to leave Yemen within 24 hours.

The Foreign Ministry also accused the UAE of pushing Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces to carry out military operations along the kingdom’s southern border in Hadramout and Mahra, saying Saudi national security is a “red line” and warning it would take all necessary measures to counter any threats.

The UAE rejected what it called “allegations” of directing the STC to conduct military operations affecting Saudi security, stressing its commitment to the kingdom’s safety.

The Emirati Defense Ministry later said it had completed the mission of its remaining counterterrorism teams in Yemen, adding that it ended its military presence in 2019 as part of the Saudi-led coalition.