The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud received at his office in Riyadh Tuesday the United States Secretary of Defense Mark Esper.

During the meeting, they reviewed Saudi-American friendship relations and aspects of strategic cooperation between the two countries, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

They also discussed a number of joint security and defense issues, latest developments in the region and efforts being exerted towards them.

The audience was attended by Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Interior; Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Minister of Defense; Minister of State, Cabinet’s Member and National Security Advisor Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz Al-Assaf.

On the American side, it was attended by US Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia John Abizaid, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Catherine Wilbarger, and a number of officials.

Saudi Crown Prince, Deputy Premier and Minister of Defense His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud also met with US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper.

SPA said that the two sides had reviewed aspects of relations between the two friendly countries, areas of cooperation related to the military and defense aspects, as well as a number of issues, especially the latest developments at the regional and international arenas, including the efforts exerted towards them.

 For his part, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, the Deputy Defense Minister, also met with US Defense Secretary Mark Esper during his visit to Riyadh.

During the meeting, they reviewed Saudi-US relations and aspects of strategic and military cooperation between the two countries, in addition to discussing and reviewing challenges, 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.

 Esper arrived in Riyadh late Monday after an unannounced visit to Afghanistan.

On October 11, the Pentagon said it was deploying new US troops to Saudi Arabia after Riyadh asked for reinforcements following a mid-September drone and missile attack on Saudi oil plants, which Washington blames on Iran.

 Esper has said that two fighter squadrons and additional missile defense batteries were being sent to Saudi Arabia, bringing to about 3,000 the total number of US troops deployed to the Kingdom since last month.