Khalid bin Salman, Austin Discuss Saudi-US Partnership

Saudi Deputy Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (SPA)
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Khalid bin Salman, Austin Discuss Saudi-US Partnership

Saudi Deputy Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (SPA)
Saudi Deputy Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (SPA)

Saudi Deputy Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz has met with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in Washington.

They discussed the strategic relations between the two friendly countries, the Saudi-US partnership, and aspects of strategic cooperation in the existing and future defense and military fields.

Prince Khalid expressed the Kingdom's appreciation for the close cooperation between the two countries' defense ministries and for the efforts of the US Defense Secretary to promote them to achieve the common interests of both countries and enhance security and peace at the regional and international levels.

For his part, Austin stressed that the "US is committed to our strong partnership with Saudi Arabia."

"I share Saudi concerns over Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region, and I welcome the Kingdom’s constructive efforts in advancing the current Yemen truce, which should be extended," he said in a tweet.

Prince Khalid chaired the Saudi delegation in the Joint Strategic Planning Committee meeting between both Ministries of Defense, while the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl headed the US team.

The meeting addressed the latest regional and international developments and a range of issues within the shared US-Saudi commitment to defend common interests and maintain international peace and security.

The Deputy Minister and his accompanying delegation arrived in Washington Wednesday on an official visit. He was scheduled to meet with several US officials to review bilateral relations and discuss issues of common interest.



GCC Welcomes Agreement between Yemen Govt, Houthis

Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
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GCC Welcomes Agreement between Yemen Govt, Houthis

Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)
Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press in Cairo, Egypt, on Aug. 28, 2023. (AP)

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi welcomed on Wednesday the agreement between the legitimate Yemeni government and Iran-backed Houthi militias to de-escalate the situation with regard to the Yemeni banking sector and airlines.

The agreement was announced by the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, on Tuesday.

Albudaiwi expressed the GCC's support for all regional and international efforts and the efforts led by the UN special envoy aimed at achieving peace and security in Yemen.

The announcement underscores the importance the international community attaches to the Yemeni crisis, he added, hoping the agreement will pave the way for Yemeni parties to start the political process, under UN auspices, to reach a comprehensive political solution that achieves security and stability in the country.

He reiterated the GCC's continued support and full solidarity with Yemen, its government and people, and its keenness to encourage all efforts to de-escalate and maintain stability in order to reach peace.