WASHINGTON, July 7 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday discussed Yemen and human rights issues with visiting Saudi Arabia's Deputy Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman.
Senior State Department officials met with Khalid bin Salman for discussion on regional security, support for Saudi Arabia to defend itself from cross-border attacks, and improving human rights, according to a statement issued by the State Department.
"Secretary of State Antony Blinken joined the group for part of the meeting to discuss efforts to achieve a comprehensive, nationwide ceasefire and transition to a political process in Yemen, the need for economic reform and humanitarian relief for the Lebanese people, and other key bilateral issues, including human rights," said the statement.
Khalid bin Salman, brother of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, met with U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and senior officials at the Pentagon on Tuesday.
The visit is the highest-level visit to Washington by a Saudi official since the Joe Biden administration declassified an intelligence report this February, which assessed Saudi crown prince approved an operation to "capture or kill" Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. Saudi Arabia rejected the finding.
Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post, was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018, and a number of top Saudi officials were arrested in connection with the case.
Saudi Arabia's Public Prosecution last September issued the final verdicts against eight convicts in Khashoggi's killing, five of whom were sentenced to 20 years in jail, and three sentenced to seven to 10 years in jail.
