Saudi-Yemeni conflict under discussion today

A Yemeni official source said on Monday that Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal will arrive in Sanaa today for a short visit. He will discuss the border conflict between the two states which recently developed into an armed confrontation.

The Yemeni official source said, "The Saudi Foreign Minister will hold a short visit to Yemen tomorrow to meet with several Yemeni officials, carrying Saudi replies on several proposals pertaining to border issues debated during the talks held by the Yemeni Foreign Minister Abdul Qader Bajmal," during his visit to Saudi Arabia.

On Saturday Bajmal said in Jeddah that Sanaa and Riyadh have agreed on the "main points that will be the principles on the grounds of which we will move" to find a solution for border conflict.

Troops from the two states clashed on July 19 in al-Dweimeh island in the Red Sea. That clash escalated the border disputes the two states have been trying to settle since 1995. Saudi Arabia claims that three quarters of al-Dweimeh island, which covers 6 square km, is its own property. A Yemeni official chose not to comment on this Saudi claim of sovereignty beyond saying that "we are waiting for official statements" tonight from the Saudis. The Yemeni official said "We pray that common sense prevails .. and respect for each others sovereignty... then we will be heading towards good negotiations." Yemen claims that Saudi Arabia has no right to the island.

For now, troops of the two states share the island which is situated just 200 meters of the Arabian peninsula's coast.