US President Biden Thursday called Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, according to the White House.

The call was ‘to address the longstanding partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia’, a White House statement said.

Regional security, including Washington’s diplomatic efforts to end the war in Yemen, was discussed.

‘The US commitment to help Saudi Arabia defend its territory as it faces attacks from Iranian – aligned groups’, was expressed by Biden.

The US president also commended Saudi Arabia’s recent improvements on human rights issues.

Biden informed King Salman that he would work ‘to make the bilateral relationship as strong and transparent as possible’.

‘The two leaders affirmed the historic nature of the relationship and agreed to work together on mutual issues of concern and interest’.