RIYADH — The Commander of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces Lt. Gen. Fahd Al-Ghafili received here Sunday the Commander of United States Naval Forces Central Command Commander of United States Fifth Fleet and Commander of Combined Maritime Forces Lt. Gen. Brad Cooper.

During the meeting, they discussed the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of maritime security and waterways security to ensure the freedom and safety of navigation in the Arabian Gulf region as well as common areas of cooperation between the two sides.

On the other hand, the Commander of the Royal Saudi Land Forces Lt. Gen.Fahd Al Mutair met here Sunday with the commanding general of United States Army Central Command Lt. Gen. Patrick D. Frank.

During the meeting, they discussed bilateral relations and means of enhancing and developing cooperation and exchanging experiences between the two sides.

For his part, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defense for Strategic Affair, Ahmed Asiri received the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle East Affairs Dana Stroul.

The two sides discussed aspects of defense cooperation between the two friendly countries, and ways to enhance and develop them.

Also, the US-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Working Groups meeting on maritime security and air defense was held in Riyadh, and attended by representatives of the armed forces of GCC states and representatives of the GCC General Secretariat.

Assistant Secretary for Military Affairs Maj. Gen. Ahmed Al-Ali and Assistant Secretary for Political Affairs and Negotiations Dr. Abdulaziz Hamad Aluwaisheg met with Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for Middle East Affairs Dana Stroul, who represented US side, at the headquarters of the GCC General Secretariat in Riyadh.

Discussions centered around the strategic partnership between the GCC and the US, and ways to develop and strengthen political and military cooperation to ensure the achievement of common interests and to enhance the security and stability of the region.

Also developments in the region were discussed, along with political and defense issues, and topics of common interest. — SPA