US Defence Secretary Mark Esper met Prince Khaled Bin Salman, Saudi Arabia’s deputy defence minister, on Monday on the first day of his visit to Riyadh.
The meeting comes at a time of rising tension between Washington and Tehran.
During the meeting, Mr Esper and Prince Khaled reviewed Saudi-US relations and aspects of strategic and military co-operation between the two countries, Saudi state news agency Spa reported.
The two also discussed and reviewed challenges, threats, common security and defence issues.
Prince Khaled met Mr Esper in August at the Pentagon, where the US official called the US-Saudi Arabian relationship “one of the most enduring” in the Middle East.
During his first visit to the kingdom, Mr Esper is likely to meet Saudi King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
On landing in Riyadh on Monday, he met the head of US Central Command, which is responsible for military operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan.
US-Iran tensions have risen to new highs since May 2018, when the Trump administration withdrew from an international accord that put limits on Tehran's nuclear programme in exchange for easing sanctions.
On October 11, the Pentagon said it was sending more US troops to Saudi Arabia after Riyadh asked for reinforcements.
That came after September 14 drone and missile attacks on Saudi oil plants, which Washington blames on Iran.
Iran has responded apprehensively to previous US troop deployments this year. But Riyadh and Tehran have shown a willingness to talk.
Iran last week urged regional powers to use diplomacy to reduce tensions, including Yemen's war, but cautioned that an Iranian tanker damaged in the Red Sea had been hit by rockets and there would have to be consequences.
On Sunday, the Pentagon chief was in Kabul on an unannounced visit to meet US troops and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.
Mr Esper’s visit came amid deep uncertainty about the fate of the US military mission in Afghanistan after talks between Washington and the Taliban collapsed.
Tewellah by Nawal Zoghbi is out now.
The specs
Engine: 2x201bhp AC Permanent-magnetic electric
Transmission: n/a
Power: 402bhp
Torque: 659Nm
Price estimate: Dh200,000
On sale: Q3 2022
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Super 30
Produced: Sajid Nadiadwala and Phantom Productions
Directed: Vikas Bahl
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Srivastav, Mrinal Thakur
Rating: 3.5 /5
Freezer tips
- Always make sure food is completely cool before freezing.
- If you’re cooking in large batches, divide into either family-sized or individual portions to freeze.
- Ensure the food is well wrapped in foil or cling film. Even better, store in fully sealable, labelled containers or zip-lock freezer bags.
- The easiest and safest way to defrost items such as the stews and sauces mentioned is to do so in the fridge for several hours or overnight.
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
Match info
Uefa Champions League Group B
Barcelona v Tottenham Hotspur, midnight
ASHES SCHEDULE
First Test
November 23-27 (The Gabba, Brisbane)
Second Test
December 2-6 (Adelaide Oval, Adelaide)
Third Test
December 14-18 (Waca Ground, Perth)
Fourth Test
December 26-30 (Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne)
Fifth Test
January 4-8, 2018 (Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney)
Mountain%20Boy
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The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet
Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
TO A LAND UNKNOWN
Director: Mahdi Fleifel
Starring: Mahmoud Bakri, Aram Sabbah, Mohammad Alsurafa
Rating: 4.5/5
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
Sweet%20Tooth
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