By Ibrahim Khazen
RIYADH (AA) – Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman on Friday met with his British counterpart Grant Shapps in London to discuss efforts to support stability in the region and the world, and to enhance bilateral defense and military cooperation between the two countries.
The British defense secretary received the Saudi prince at Lancaster House Palace in the capital London, according to the official Saudi news agency SPA.
The two sides “held an expanded bilateral meeting in the presence of the delegations of the two ministries, during which the strategic partnership between the two friendly countries was reviewed, and the prospects for bilateral cooperation and ways to enhance it in the military and defense fields.”
The two sides also discussed “coordinating efforts to support security and stability in the region and the world, in addition to discussing a number of issues of common interest.”
“Pleased to meet with Grant Shapps,” Prince Khalid bin Salman said in a statement on X, noting: “We reviewed our strategic partnership, explored prospects for defense cooperation, and discussed ways to further enhance it.”
“We also addressed our joint efforts to promote regional and international security and stability,” he added.
The Saudi defense minister began a two-day visit to Paris on Wednesday, where he met with the French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu.
Riyadh did not issue further details regarding the duration of the Saudi defense minister’s foreign tour, nor the countries it includes.
* Writing by Ikram Kouachi