RIYADH: Prince Khalid bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s deputy minister of defense, on Wednesday met the US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in Washington, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

The pair reviewed the Saudi-US partnership, and ongoing and future strategic military and defense cooperation between the Kingdom and US.

Prince Khalid expressed Saudi Arabia’s appreciation for the close cooperation between the two countries’ defense bodies to achieve the two sides’ common interests and enhance security and peace regionally and internationally.

On HRH the Crown Prince’s directive, I met with @SecDef to review the Saudi-U.S partnership, and ongoing strategic military cooperation between our two friendly countries. pic.twitter.com/kHyIuptfWr

— Khalid bin Salman خالد بن سلمان (@kbsalsaud) May 18, 2022

He also said that the meeting was organized based on Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s directives.

Prince Khalid and US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl, then, co-headed the Saudi-US joint strategic planning committee meeting.

The meeting discussed regional and international developments, and a number of issues on defending common interests and global security and stability.

The meeting was attended by Gen. Fayyadh bin Hamed Al-Ruwaili, Saudi Chief of General Staff, and other Saudi and US senior officials.