Minister of the National Guard Prince Miteb bin Abdullah

Minister of the National Guard Prince Miteb bin Abdullah said that US President Barack Obama expressed his appreciation and respect for Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah during the minister’s recent visit to America. Obama also called the Kingdom a time-tested friend and ally of the United States.

According to Prince Miteb, his talks with the US president focused on events in the Middle East. He said he had returned to the Kingdom with many ideas and encouragement from President Obama, and that his visit helped remove differences between the two countries.

Prince Miteb said he found the American leadership fully committed to eliminating terrorism and form an alliance to make the region free of the so-called Islamic State.

The minister said King Abdullah is keen on the development of the National Guard as a modern defense force and officers are currently being trained to that effect. He added that there is continuous consultation between the National Guard and the US Department of Defense.

On the situation in Iraq, Prince Miteb said that the meeting with the Iraqi president in the Kingdom was very productive. He said the king is interested in the stability of Iraq and hopes the Iraqi president will give Sunnis a bigger role in administration to achieve security and peace in the country.

As for his position on the Syrian opposition forces, the minister said he wishes to see all members of the Syrian opposition united to achieve one thing — stability of the country.

On Yemen and its impact on the security of the Kingdom, he said the Kingdom has all the necessary means to defend its territory and borders, and Saudi Arabia’s borders are a red line that shall not be tampered with.

On US-Iran relations, the prince said he found that the Americans were very clear on the issue of Iran’s nuclear program. He added that he hopes Tehran will understand that the region would not accept the possibility of a nuclear war, or the existence of nuclear reactors that affect the whole region. He said the Kingdom stands with the international community on this issue.

 
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