Washington, Asharq Al-Awsat—The US administration appreciates the role of Saudi Arabia in addressing the situation in the Middle East, Saudi Minister of National Guard Prince Miteb Bin Abdullah told reporters in Washington following a meeting with US President Barack Obama on Wednesday.

Prince Miteb arrived in Washington on Wednesday on an official visit which will last for several days and include meetings with several officials, including Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

The prince’s meeting with President Obama lasted for 45 minutes and covered the situation in Syria and Iraq, and the international efforts to fight the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) there, as well as the deteriorating situation in Yemen.

“We sensed great understanding from President Obama and his administration of all the problems facing the Arab region, and there is an almost complete understanding in terms of the two countries’ visions towards dealing with these issues, particularly with regards to the situation in Iraq, Syria and Yemen,” Prince Miteb said.

Prince Miteb added that Obama showed considerable understanding of the situation in Egypt.

The prince also visited headquarters of US National Guard Command in Washington where he was received by the commander of the US National Guard, General Frank J. Grass.

During the meeting the two discussed aspects of cooperation between Saudi National Guard and US National Guard in all fields and ways of enhancing cooperation between the two forces, the SPA reported.

In comments to Asharq Al-Awsat Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Washington Adel Al-Jubeir said Prince Miteb’s visit comes within the framework of strengthening the strategic ties between the two countries. The Kingdom is among the top ten trade partners of the US and cooperation between the two countries cover several fields, including security, military, commercial and educational ties, he added.

According to the ambassador, Prince Miteb will discuss with US officials issues of mutual interest, including the Syrian crisis, the situation in Iraq, international efforts to fight ISIS and blocking terrorist groups’ sources of funding as well as ways to improve US-Egyptian ties.