Mecca Defence Pact Committee to Hold Riyadh Talks on Monday, Turkey Says
RIYADH, Oct 5 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) — A committee of the Mecca Defence Pact between Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan will hold talks in Riyadh on Monday to discuss regional developments and the alliance’s institutionalization efforts, Turkey’s foreign ministry said on Sunday.
The meeting will bring together the pact’s strategic political and defence committee, with senior officials from all three countries expected to attend.
Turkey will be represented by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defence Minister Yasar Guler and Chief of the General Staff General Selcuk Bayraktaroglu, according to the ministry.
“The meeting will address recent developments in the region and the stage reached in the Alliance’s institutionalization efforts,” the Turkish statement said.
The talks come as the leader of Yemen’s Saudi-backed government announced on Sunday the start of a major military operation against the Iran-backed Houthis, aimed at taking territory under their control.
Pakistan’s foreign minister said on Friday that Iran had proposed political engagement with Yemen’s Houthis following attacks by the group.
That proposal is expected to be discussed by the Mecca Defence Pact committee during this week’s meeting in Riyadh, according to Reuters.
