Jeddah – Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz held official talks with President of Sierra Leone Ernest Bai Koroma on bilateral relations and means of cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Sierra Leone in different fields.

At the outset of the session, the President granted the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques the Medal of Honor in recognition of his efforts in safeguarding world peace and defending Islam.

The session was attended by Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Region Prince Khalid al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz, Minister of State Prince Mansour bin Miteb bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Minister of State and Member of the Cabinet Ibrahim bin Abdulaziz al-Assaf, Minister of Culture and Information Awad bin Saleh al-Awad, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nizar bin Obaid Madani, and Saudi Ambassador to Guinea and Sierra Leone Suleiman bin Saleh al-Furaih.

It was also attended by the delegation accompanying Koroma: Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Samura Kamara, Minister of Finance Momodu Kargbo, Minister of Mines and Natural Resources Minkailu Mansaray, Minister of Education Minkailu Bah, Minister of Information and Communication Mohamed Bangura, and Sierra Leone Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mohamed Sillah Kargbo.

Koroma arrived to the Kingdom earlier on Sunday and he was received by Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah Region Prince Khalid al-Faisal bin Abdulaziz, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Premier and Minister of Interior, according to Saudi Press Agency.

An official reception ceremony was held for the Sierra Leonean president, the national anthems of the two countries were played, and he reviewed the Guard of Honor.

At King Abdulaziz International Airport, he was received by Deputy Governor of Makkah region Prince Abdullah bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Culture and Information Awwad bin Saleh al-Awwad and a number of officials.

Later, King Salman held a luncheon banquet in honor of the president and his accompanying delegation.

The reception and the banquet were attended by a number of princes.

Koroma met at his residence in Jeddah Advisor to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and Governor of Makkah region Prince Khalid al-Faisal, SPA stated.

During the meeting, the Prince welcomed the president, wishing him a pleasant stay in the Kingdom. For his part, the president expressed his thanks and appreciation for the warm welcome and generous hospitality accorded to him.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of Culture and Information.

At his residence also, the president received OIC Secretary General Yousef al-Othaimeen.

During the meeting, the Secretary General briefed on the current state of bilateral relations between the OIC and Sierra Leone on political, economic, social, humanitarian and cultural issues.

While expressing appreciation to the OIC for its constant support for Sierra Leone, Koroma underscored the important role of OIC in ensuring peaceful resolution of crises in OIC Member States, including Africa as well as combatting terrorism and violent extremism.

On modalities for consolidating existing relations, both sides expressed their commitments to forge closer collaboration between their senior officials, with a view to examining all areas of mutual interests.

Koroma also held a meeting with Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Nizar bin Obaid Madani. During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and ways to promote them, in addition to issues of mutual interest.

The reception was attended by the Saudi Ambassador to Sierra Leone.

Minister al-Awwad met with Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Communications Mohamed Bangura. The two discussed a number of issues of common interest as well as means of enhancing cooperation between the two countries in the fields of culture and media.