Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel met here today with Saudi Arabia's Minister of the National Guard Prince Mitib bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Qatar's Minister of State for Defense Affairs Maj. Gen. Hamad bin Ali al-Attiyah.
Pentagon Spokesman Rear Adm. John Kirby summarized the meetings in a statement released today, calling Saudi Arabia and Qatar “integral to ongoing coalition efforts against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.”
In separate meetings with the two ministers, Kirby said, Hagel “expressed appreciation for the strategic partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia and Qatar and thanked the ministers for their countries' support in the fight against the ISIL.”
Hagel highlighted Saudi and Qatari participation in coalition airstrikes as well as their support to train and equip the moderate Syrian opposition, Kirby said. Hagel and the two ministers, he added, “underscored their desire to continue working closely to confront ISIL and other security challenges in the region.”