Prince Khalid bin Salman and Blinken discuss bilateral relations and developments in the region
Saudi Deputy Defense Minister visits Washington, where he met senior officials in the US administration.
On Wednesday, Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman held meetings at the US State Department in Washington, in which US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken participated.
Prince Khalid bin Salman wrote on his Twitter account: “Today, I met His Excellency the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, and we reviewed the partnership between the two countries and ways to develop it, as well as the most prominent developments in the region. We discussed cooperation in files of common interest and support for maintaining security, peace and stability on both levels, regional and international.
He also mentioned that he met with the US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Victoria Nuland, adding: “We discussed mutual coordination within the framework of the partnership between the two countries and the latest regional and international developments, in addition to some issues of common interest.”
The US State Department said in a statement that US officials discussed with Prince Khalid bin Salman the security of the region and US support for Saudi Arabia to defend itself against cross-border attacks.
They also talked about efforts to establish a ceasefire in Yemen and the political path to resolve the Yemeni crisis and the need for economic reforms in Lebanon, and send humanitarian aid to the Lebanese people and other common issues.
Prince Khalid bin Salman addressed the Yemeni crisis and efforts to reach a political solution with the coordinator of the National Security Council for the Middle East and North Africa, Brett Majork, and the US special envoy for Yemen, Timothy Lenderking.
Prince Khalid bin Salman said on Twitter: “We discussed the latest developments in Yemen, the Kingdom’s firm position in support of the brotherly Yemeni people, their legitimate government, and efforts to reach a comprehensive political solution and achieve security and stability in Yemen.”
He added: “I discussed with the US envoy to the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman the most important developments in the Horn of Africa, and the Kingdom’s efforts to lay the foundations for security and stability and achieve development and prosperity in the African continent.”
Prince Khalid bin Salman also held talks at the Pentagon with senior military personnel, especially Colin Cale, Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, where they discussed issues including “efforts to end the war in Yemen.”
The two officials also discussed the importance of coordinating efforts to ensure a solid economic recovery, advance climate issues, and reduce escalation in the Middle East.
