ISTANBUL

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and the chief of US Central Command (CENTCOM), Adm. Brad Cooper, discussed military and defense cooperation between the two countries and regional developments.

A statement by the Saudi Defense Ministry said the Riyadh talks dwelt on aspects of bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the military and defense fields.

The two sides also discussed “the latest regional developments and joint efforts to address them in a way that preserves international peace and security,” the ministry said.

Cooper’s visit was his last stop in a Gulf tour during which he held talks with officials in Kuwait and Qatar following last week’s Israeli strike that killed five Hamas members in Doha.