File Photo: Yemeni Prime Minister Khaled Bahah listens to a reporter's questions at a news conference after his cabinet was sworn-in at the Presidential Palace in Sanaa November 9, 2014 (Photo: Reuters)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Yemen's Vice President Khaled Bahah on Thursday met in Cairo and discussed security around the Red Sea, according to Egyptian presidency spokesperson Alaa Youssef.
The Yemeni official stressed the importance of coordination between Egypt and Yemen, as the national security of Arab countries is linked to security in and around the Red Sea, from the Bab Al-Mandab Strait off Yemen's coast to the Suez Canal in Egypt.
In March, Houthi rebel fighters extended their reach from the capital Sanaa to the Yemeni southern port town of Aden, causing the country's president Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi to flee to Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia and regional allies responded by launching airstrikes against alleged positions and weapon caches of Houthi fighters and loyalists to their ally former Yemeni president Ali Abdallah Saleh on 26 March.
Explaining Egypt's support to the Saudi-led military campaign, El-Sisi said that securing the Bab Al-Mandab Strait at the south of the Red Sea between Djibouti and Yemen was "a top priority for Egypt's national security".
At the Thursday meeting, El-Sisi also highlighted the importance of a political solution to resolve the Yemeni crisis and to preserve the unity and territorial integrity of Yemen and its people.
El-Sisi emphasised Egypt's support to Yemen in providing all kinds of assistance to help restore security and stability.
He also stressed the importance of supporting the Yemeni army's role in restoring security and stability to the country.
Bahah pointed out that the exiled Yemeni government's participation in ongoing peace talks in Geneva stemmed from a sincere desire for long-term peace and a lasting humanitarian truce, in line with Yemen's National Dialogue, and expressed his wishes for a successful conference.
During the meeting, officials from both countries agreed to activate a joint commission to boost bilateral relations between both countries in all fields.
Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, Minister of the Interior Magdi Abdel Ghaffar, the Egyptian ministers of planning and interior, and the Permanent Representative of Yemen to the Arab League also attended the meeting.
Short link: