WASHINGTON: Saudi Arabia and the United States have discussed prospects of expanding military cooperation during a strategic meeting attended by Prince Khaled bin Sultan, assistant minister of defense and aviation for military affairs, it was announced on Thursday.
The Saudi Press Agency said the two sides signed an agreement following a meeting of the Saudi-American Strategic Planning Committee. Prince Khaled and US Deputy Defense Secretary Michele Flournoy signed the pact.
“The committee held a meeting at the Pentagon under the co-chairmanship of Prince Khaled and Flournoy,” said SPA. “The meeting reviewed military cooperation and ways to realize the joint interests of both countries.”
On Tuesday, Prince Khaled held talks with US Defense Secretary Robert Gates. SPA, which reported the meeting Wednesday, did not give any details. But Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell stated before the meeting that the two officials would “discuss a range of bilateral defense and regional security issues.”
Prince Khaled earlier met with Saudi military students pursuing higher studies in the United States. The meeting took place at the office of the Saudi military attaché in Washington.
Speaking to the students, the minister said Saudi armed forces had taught the infiltrators a lesson. “They will now think 10 times before trying to make another incursion into the Kingdom's territory,” SPA quoted the prince as saying.
