King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud received at his office today US Defense Secretary, Mark Esper.
During the meeting, they reviewed the Saudi-American friendly relationship and aspects of strategic cooperation between the two countries.
They also discussed a number of joint security and defense issues, in addition to the latest situation in the region and efforts exerted towards it.
The meeting was attended by Prince Abdul-Aziz bin Saud bin Nayef,Minister of Interior, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdul-Aziz, Deputy Ministerof Defense, Minister of State, Cabinet Member, National Security Advisor Dr.Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, and Foreign Minister Dr. Ibrahim bin Abdul-AzizAl-Assaf.
US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia John Abi-Zaid, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Katie Wheelbarger, and a number of officials also attended the meeting.
Prince Khaled bin Salman bin Abdul-Aziz, Saudi Deputy DefenseMinister, also met with US Defense Secretary Mark Esper during his visit toRiyadh.
During the meeting, they reviewed Saudi-US relations and aspects ofstrategic and military cooperation between the two countries, in addition todiscussing challenges and threats and common security and defense issues.
The two sides also discussed a number of issues of common concern, to support security and stability and defend common interests against any threats.
It's noteworthy that US Defense Secretary Mark Esper arrived inRiyadh on Monday for his first visit to Saudi Arabia since taking office thissummer, Reuters reported.
The United States deployed troops in Saudi Arabia following theSeptember 14 Abqaiq–Khurais attack, which Washington and Riyadh blamed on Iran.
An official source at the Saudi Ministry of Defense said on October11, "In accordance with the directives of King Salman, and based on thehistorical relations and the established partnership between Saudi Arabia andthe United States, it was decided to receive additional reinforcements fortroops and defense equipment within the framework of the joint work between theKingdom and the United States to maintain regional security and counter anyattempts to threaten stability in the region and the global economy".
Meanwhile, the Security and Defense Conference of the Chiefs-of-Staffof the GCC states and a number of other countries (Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan,Britain, the United States, France, South Korea, the Netherlands, Italy,Germany, New Zealand, and Greece) was held in Riyadh today. in order toemphasize maritime and air protection, discuss Iranian hostilities, andparticipate with the capabilities required to protect the security andstability of the region.
