Carter, Saudi Leader Discuss Defense Relationship

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2015 – Defense Secretary Ash Carter met yesterday with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defense Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss the U.S.-Saudi bilateral defense relationship, according to a Defense Department news release.
The meeting was held ahead of Prince Mohammed’s scheduled visit to Camp David today, as part of the U.S.-Gulf Cooperation Council summit, the release said.
Carter emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Saudi strategic partnership and reiterated both countries shared commitment to ensuring a stable and secure Middle East, the release said. He also pointed out the importance of working together through bilateral security cooperation to confront the most pressing security challenges in the region.
According to the release, the meeting ended with a discussion of regional issues, including the GCC-led air campaign in Yemen, the coalition countering the Islamic State in the Levant and ongoing regional negotiations. It was the first face-to-face meeting of the two defense leaders, and at its conclusion, the secretary and the deputy crown prince committed to continuing close consultation on Middle East security issues, the release said.