COAS discusses regional security with Saudi Deputy Defence Minister

RIYADH: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Tuesday met Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Defence Prince Khalid bin Salaman bin Abdulaziz.

“Matters of mutual interest including bilateral defence, security cooperation and regional security were discussed,” said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

During the meeting, they reviewed the bilateral relations, especially on the military and defense side, and sought to enhance joint cooperation to maintain security and stability, in addition to issues of common concern.

“Met today with my brother, H.E. General Qamar Bajwa, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff. We discussed bilateral relations, military cooperation, and our common vision for preserving regional security,” Prince Khalid said in a tweet following the meeting.

The meeting was attended by the Saudi Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Fayyad Bin Hamid Al-Ruwaili, the military adviser to the Minister of Defense, Maj. Gen. Engineer Talal Bin Abdullah Al-Otaibi, and the Director-General of the Office of the Deputy Minister of Defense Hisham Bin Abdulaziz Bin Saif.

The army chief arrived in Riyadh on Monday and met the Saudi military leadership to discuss “military to military ties including training exchanges” according to the military’s media wing.

“Gen Bajwa was received by Saudi Arabia’s Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces General Fayyad Al-Ruwaili upon his arrival at the defence ministry,” ISPR had said.

Gen Bajwa had also met Lieutenant General (Staff) Fahad bin Turki Al Saud, Commander Joint Forces, Saudi Arabia. “During the meeting, prospects for military cooperation and ways to support and boost it were reviewed, in addition to matters of common concern,” the Saudi government said in a statement.

The army chief is accompanied by Director-General Inter-Servies Intelligence Lt Gen. Faiz Hameed on his trip to Saudi Arabia.