Top Middle East US general visits Abu Dhabi

The top U.S. general in the Middle East on Monday met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, state media reported.

Gen. Joseph Votel, head of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), which oversees U.S. troops in the region, discussed bilateral ties and cooperation in the military and defense sectors, news agency WAM said.

CENTCOM has not issued a statement on the meeting yet.

Roughly 5,000 U.S. soldiers are stationed at the UAE’s Al Dhafra Airbase, while the country also hosts U.S. troops in the Jebel Ali port which, is used by the U.S. Marines.