Saleh, Blair hold talks in London

LONDON, Nov. 16 (Saba)- President Ali Abdullah Saleh held talks with the UK Prime Minister Tony Blair in London Thursday. The talks focused on the bilateral rations and means of enhancing mutual cooperation between the two countries as well as role of the United Kingdom in supporting process of development in Yemen. President Saleh highly appreciated hosting of the British government for the consultative group meeting for Yemen’s development partners and offering all facilities to bring the meeting into success. He also valued decision of UK government to increase its aid to Yemen. “There is a strong partnership between two countries, which establishes new and developed age of the relationship between Yemen and United Kingdom,” president said. The two leaders also discussed issues of common concern, especially the current situations in Palestine, Iraq and Somalia. Blair welcomed president Saleh, re- congratulating President Saleh on success of the September’s presidential and local elections. He said that the London meeting was successful, voicing continuation of the UK support for Yemen. Meanwhile, president Saleh received UK secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs, Margaret Beckett and discussed with her aspects of the partnership between the two countries in addition to the current developments in international and regional arenas. AH/AH