WASHINGTON — Deputy Minister of Defense Prince Khalid Bin Salman held in Washington Tuesday extensive talks with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley and US Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl, as part of his official visit to the United States.

At the outset of the meeting, the deputy minister of defense commended deep-rooted strategic relations between the two countries and the advanced levels these relations reached in all fields under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince and US President Joe Biden.

Prince Khalid extended congratulations to the United States of America on Independence Day, lauding the friendship binding the two friendly peoples.

During the talks, they reviewed Saudi-US partnership and aspects of strategic cooperation in military and defense fields between the two countries.

They also reviewed topics within the framework of the two countries’ common vision in supporting security and stability and defending common interests against threats, whatever their source, to maintain international peace and security.

The meeting was attended by Saudi Ambassador Princess Reema Bint Bandar; Assistant Minister of Defense for Executive Affairs Dr. Khalid Al-Bayari; Military Advisor to the Minister of Defense Maj. Gen. Eng. Talal Bin Abdullah Al-Otaibi; Military Attaché of Saudi Embassy in Washington Maj. Gen.Fawaz Bin Mohammed Al-Fawaz; and Director General of Deputy Minister of Defense's Office Hisham Bin Abdulaziz bin Saif. — SPA