WASHINGTON, Sept 5 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter met with Saudi Deputy Crown Prince and Minister of Defense Mohammad Bin Salman and reaffirmed the importance of the US-Saudi strategic relationship, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter Cook said late Friday.
The two senior officials discussed mutual concerns in the region, including the ongoing crisis in Yemen and the importance of reaching a negotiated political settlement there, Cook read to reporters, adding "Building on commitments made at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit hosted by President Obama at Camp David this past May and Secretary Carter's recent visit to Jeddah in July, Secretary Carter took the opportunity to further conversations on Saudi Arabia's underlying defense requirements and supporting Saudi efforts to build capacity to counter new and emerging security challenges within the region.
"Secretary Carter reiterated future regional defense capabilities would need to provide not only conventional deterrence, but also address unconventional and asymmetric threats the region is most likely to face from Iran, ISIL and others.
"Secretary Carter also participated in an earlier meeting today at the White House with President Obama and King Salman Bin Abdulaziz, along with other members of the Saudi delegation," Cook concluded. (end) yt.hb