The King then visited Sana’a in response to an invitation from Imam Ahmad. He arrived on 17 July 1954, where the Yemeni people received him with great celebration.
After the visit, His Majesty described it as follows:
“I visited Sana’a at the invitation of my brother, Imam Ahmad — an invitation dear to my heart, for it brings two brothers together and strengthens the bonds of friendship between two nations. This has been one of my aims since ascending the throne, for I have dedicated myself to working earnestly to reinforce ties of affection among all Arabs and Muslims.
What increased my joy was what I witnessed from my brother and his government: a firm determination to advance Yemen, to undertake scientific, developmental, and economic projects, and to open the doors to foreign capital to invest in Yemen’s natural resources so that it may progress alongside the nations moving forward in the race of life.
We discussed this matter at length, and together we outlined the plan through which we shall cooperate with our brotherly Yemen to raise its economic level and benefit from its natural wealth.
What filled my heart with happiness and delight was the unity I witnessed among the people around Imam Ahmad, the cohesion of the royal family and the Yemeni people around their sovereign, and their solidarity in standing as one against any aggression upon their land. Their steadfastness in the face of any attack and their resolve to preserve the integrity and independence of their country left a deep impression on me. They are firmly determined to defend their rights, and they will receive from us all support, as they shall — God willing — from all Arabs and Muslims.”
Following this visit, the following joint communiqué was issued:
“We shall exert all our efforts and capabilities, working in agreement with the neighboring Arab countries, to achieve the noble objectives for which the Arab League was established, and to fulfill the national aspirations cherished by all Arabic‑speaking peoples. Together with other nations, we aim to reach that high human ideal whose sound foundations were laid by the United Nations in its Charter.”