US wants a ‘strong’ Saudi Arabia
Defence secretary Jim Mattis emphasises military security and secret services and hints that Donald Trump could visit
RIYADH // Washington wants to see a strong Saudi Arabia, US defence secretary Gen Jim Mattis said during talks yesterday aimed at reinvigorating America’s alliance with Riyadh.
Meeting top officials in the Saudi capital, Gen Mattis also hinted that president Donald Trump could visit the kingdom, which has welcomed Washington’s firmer line against common adversary Iran.
“It is in our interest to see a strong Saudi Arabia,” Mr Mattis said at the start of talks with Saudi defence minister, Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, pointing to the country’s military security and secret services. “What we can do here today could actually open the door possibly to bringing our president to Saudi Arabia”.
Gen Mattis, a retired four-star marine general who commanded troops during the 2003 invasion of Iraq, had earlier met King Salman at Al Yamama Palace in Riyadh. He told the monarch: “It’s good to be back.”
The defence secretary arrived in the kingdom on Tuesday afternoon to listen to Saudi leaders and learn “what are their priorities”, an American defence official said.
The US and Saudi Arabia have a decades-old relationship, but ties between Riyadh and Washington became increasingly frayed during the administration of Democrat president Barack Obama.
Saudi leaders felt Mr Obama was reluctant to get involved in the Syria civil war and that Washington was tilting towards Iran.
The US defence official said the kingdom felt marginalised during international negotiations on a nuclear accord with Tehran. The Saudis have found a more favourable ear in Washington under Mr Trump, who has denounced Iran’s “harmful influence” in the Middle East.
In February, he imposed new sanctions on Tehran after a ballistic missile test launch, and in response to its support for Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Prince Mohammed told Mr Mattis that Saudi Arabia and the US were working to counter challenges in the region, including the malign activities of Iran, and to bring stability to the most important straits.
The US military is watching Houthi activities along the stra-
Prince Mohammed told Mr Mattis that Saudi Arabia and the US were working to counter challenges in the region
tegic Bab Al Mandab strait connecting the Red Sea with the Indian Ocean.
In January, the rebels attacked a Saudi warship in the Red Sea, and they also fired missiles towards US warships in the area.
Washington accuses the rebels of deploying coastal defence missiles and other weapons that threaten free navigation in the waters, which are vital to global trade.