Saudi, US leaders calls for unity of counter-terror operations

RIYADH, May 22 (KUNA) -- Saudi and US leaders reaffirmed importance of unity of efforts between US-led international coalition fighting so-called Islamic State (IS) and the Saudi-led Islamic counter-terrorism coalition.
Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and US President Donald Trump voiced desire to create a united and solid regional security structure to include regional countries to explore cooperation against common challenges, a joint Saudi-US statement, issued in Riyadh, said Monday.
They reiterated commitment to confront terrorist groups and their ideologies, the statement said, while reaffirming security cooperation and exchange of information to cut terrorism financing sources.
Trump commended Saudi Arabia for thwarting 276 terrorist attacks, including against the US and friendly countries.
The two leaders, said the statement, agreed to work together to stop Iran's interference in internal affairs of other countries, inciting sectarian discord, supporting terrorism and destabilizing security in the region.
They said some articles of Iran's nuclear agreement should be re-examined, and that Tehran's ballistic missile program did not only pose a threat to regional countries but the world.
King Salman and Trump called for achieving a comprehensive peace between the Palestinians and Israelis and solving the Yemeni conflict peacefully.
On Syria, King Salman supported the US decision to attack a Syrian airbase following the Damascus regime's chemical attack on Khan Sheikhoun.
The two leaders said the Syrian regime should get rid of all chemical weapons and end the conflict in line with UN resolution 2254.
They, however, expressed support for the Iraqi government's operations against IS, supported the Lebanese state and disarming Hezbollah. (end) od.bs