Readout of the President’s Call with President Saleh of Yemen

The President spoke with Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh earlier today.  President Obama discussed U.S. and international support for policies to address Yemen’s political and economic challenges,  including through the Friends of Yemen group.  The leaders discussed the importance of all parties to the Houthi conflict fully complying with the ceasefire in the north of Yemen and recent increases in U.S. in assistance to persons displaced by the conflict.   President Obama supported a comprehensive and inclusive Yemeni national dialogue on economic, political, and human rights issues.  They also discussed the continuing threat of Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, and international assistance to Yemen to support its counterterrorism efforts.  President Obama applauded Yemen’s determination to address the terrorist threat the Yemeni people face and recognized the sacrifices of Yemeni forces involved in this effort.