Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Discusses Mutual Cooperation with U.S. Secretary of Defense | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page
Media ID: 55366738
Caption:

Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed-U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis (Asharq Al-Awsat)


Riyadh– Saudi Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Minister of Defense, has discussed with U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis mutual cooperation on security issues.

During a telephone conversation on Tuesday, Mattis condemned the terrorist attack against a Saudi frigate west of the port of Yemen’s Hodeida and offered condolences over the death of two Saudi sailors.

A statement from the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) read that the Deputy Crown Prince “underscored the U.S. Secretary of Defense’s experience in the region and looked forward to working together to serve the interests of both countries and the fight against terrorism, militias and piracy and that it is necessary to restore stability to the region’s countries and develop relations between the two states in all fields, based on the directives of the Saudi king.”

The statement added that both countries fully reject “the suspicious activities and interventions by the Iranian regime and its agents in the affairs of countries in the region in order to undermine their security and stability.”

Mattis thanked the minister of defense for Saudi Arabia’s contributions in countering ISIS around the world. He expressed readiness to work in conjunction with the Deputy Crown Prince in all fields.

Mattis reaffirmed the importance of the strategic U.S.-Saudi relationship, particularly to countering new and emerging security challenges in the Middle East. Mattis also noted his desire to consult closely with Saudi Arabia on security issues of mutual concern.

The two stressed the implementation of directives of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the U.S. President in the distinctive and historic call between the two leaders by beginning joint work to counter all those activities.