President Donald Trump spoke with Saudi King Salman on Sunday, talking about possible safe zones in Yemen and Syria following Friday’s executive orders to bar travel from citizens of seven countries.
Trump made the call from the White House Oval Office, as senior adviser Jared Kushner and National Security Advisor Michael Flynn listened in.
“The President requested and the King agreed to support safe zones in Syria and Yemen, as well as supporting other ideas to help the many refugees who are displaced by the ongoing conflicts,” according to a White House statement.
“They also agreed on the importance of rigorously enforcing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action with Iran and of addressing Iran’s destabilizing regional activities.”
Trump’s order bars citizens from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen from entering the United States for the next 90 days. The U.S. suspended its refugee program for 120 days. The move was met with criticism from the American Civil Liberties Union, Democratic leadership, and some Republican leaders.
Trump, during his campaign, called on wealthy Gulf states to protect and pay for safe zones for Syrian refugees.
