US Defense Secretary Mark Esper met Monday with Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz to discuss the military and strategic cooperation between the two countries.
“DEFENDING COMMON INTERESTS”
The two officials reviewed “challenges, threats and common security and defense issues,” according to Saudi Arabia’s official SPA news agency.
They also discussed “a number of issues of common concern to support security and stability and defend common interests against any threats,” SPA reported.
Esper is likely to meet King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on his first trip to the key regional ally since taking office this summer, a visit intended partly to reassure Riyadh over bilateral ties.