U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry held what he described as "constructive" talks Thursday with Yemen's President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi, as he visits Saudi Arabia for talks on a proposed
humanitarian pause in the Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen.
Mr. Hadi fled to Saudi Arabia in late March as Houthi fighters advanced from the capital, Sana'a, to the southern coast in an offensive that prompted Saudi warplanes to bomb the rebels.
But aid groups have complained about difficulties in getting food and other needed items to civilians in Yemen.
Kerry said Wednesday that any pause in the air campaign must be carried out in a way that does not allow anyone to try to grab more territory or attack those who have temporarily put down their weapons.
"We have urged all sides, anybody involved, to comply with humanitarian law and to take every precaution to keep civilians out of the line of fire, out of harm's way as well as to provide the opportunity for humanitarian assistance to be able to be delivered," Kerry said.
He was also due to meet Thursday with new Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir and with King Salman.