Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman received his Italian and Turkmen counterparts at his office in Riyadh.

During the meeting between Prince Khalid and Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto, they reviewed aspects of Saudi-Italian relations and promising opportunities for strengthening and developing them in the fields of defense and military industries.

The ministers discussed the ongoing military escalation in Gaza, and the efforts made to resolve the crisis. Prince Khalid bin Salman stressed the need to calm the situation in Gaza. The defense ministers also discussed a number of regional and international issues and developments of common interest.

The reception was attended by Deputy Minister of Defense Prince Abdulrahman bin Muhammad bin Ayyaf, Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Fayyad Al Ruwaili, Assistant Minister of Defense Eng. Talal Al Otaibi, Director General of the Office of the Minister of Defense Hisham bin Abdulaziz bin Saif, and the military attaché at the Saudi embassy in Italy Brig. Gen. Abdul Hadi bin Hassan Al-Omari.

It was also attended from the Italian side by the head of the Legislative Office of the Minister Lt. Gen. Salvatore Luongo, Diplomatic Advisor to the Minister Guido De Sanctis, Italian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Roberto Cantone, and the Minister’s Advisor Dr. Stefano Morotti.

Prince Khalid bin Salman also met Secretary of the State Security Council and Minister of Defense of Turkmenistan Lt. Gen. Begenç Gündogdyýew. During the meeting, they reviewed bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and Turkmenistan, and ways to support and enhance future cooperation between the two ministries. The two sides also discussed the current military escalation in Gaza. Their talks also figured a number of regional and international issues of common interest.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Minister of Defense Prince Abdulrahman bin Muhammad bin Ayyaf, Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Fayyad Al-Ruwaili, Assistant Minister of Defense Eng. Talal bin Abdullah Al Otaibi, Director General of the Office of the Minister of Defense Hisham bin Abdulaziz bin Saif, and the Military Attaché at the Saudi embassy in Moscow, Ashgabat, and Minsk, Maj. Gen. Saad bin Muhammad Al-Kathiri.

It was also attended from the Turkmen side by its Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Orazmuhammet Charyev, Director of the International Relations Department at the Ministry of Defense Lt. Col. Merdan Gurbangulyichov, and Deputy Director of the General Administration of the Ministry of Defense Lt. Col. Gurbanmirat Batichov