The Security and Defense Conference of the Chiefs of Staff of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) States and a number of friendly countries including Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Korea, United Kingdom and United States was held in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Monday.

The conference aimed to emphasize regional air and marine protection, discuss the Iranian hostilities and provide the required capabilities for the protection of the security and stability of the region, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.

The Chiefs of Staff participating in the conference discussed ways of protecting air and marine against Iranian terrorist attacks and ensuring the safety of marine navigation.

In a final statement, the participants affirmed their unified position against the attack and aggression on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and their determination to deter such aggression, which targeted vital facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz also met Monday 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.