Saudi king orders petroleum aid to Yemen

Saudi King Abdullah has ordered the donation of petroleum products to neighbouring Yemen that should cover the impoverished country's needs for two months, the Saba state news agency said. King Abdullah "instructed his government to give Yemen a grant of petroleum products enough for two months, to help Yemen overcome its current difficult situation," Saba said overnight on Monday, quoting unnamed sources. The announcement came as Yemeni President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi concluded a brief visit to the oil-rich kingdom, his first foreign trip since being elected president last month, replacing veteran strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh. In December, King Abdullah gave instructions to provide Yemen with urgent aid, especially petroleum products, shortly after the formation of a unity government under a Gulf-brokered accord that paved the way for Saleh's departure following months of deadly protests. Yemen, which is suffering from multiple security and humanitarian challenges, produces 300,000 barrels per day of crude oil, of which 105,000 bpd is exported. But supplies have repeatedly been interrupted by sabotage attacks.