CP RECEIVES US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

THE CROWN PRINCE AND DEPUTY SUPREME COMMANDER SHAIKH SALMAN BIN HAMAD AL KHALIFA, MET US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE ROBERT GATES AT THE PENTAGON.

THE CROWN PRINCE AND DEPUTY SUPREME COMMANDER REVIEWED WITH THE US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE THE PROSPECTS OF MILITARY COOPERATION BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES AND MEANS OF DEVELOPING SECURITY AND STABILITY IN THE REGION.

GATES EXTENDED HIS THANKS AND APPRECIATION FOR THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN HOSTING THE US FIFTH FLEET.

DURING THE MEETING, WHICH IS PART OF WORKING VISIT BY THE CROWN PRINCE AND DEPUTY SUPREME COMMANDER TO THE UNITED STATES BOTH SIDES AGREED ON THE IMPORTANCE OF US PRESENCE AND STABILITY IN IRAQ THROUGH THE CREATION OF A NATIONAL DIALOGUE AMONG ALL THE SPECTRA OF THE VARIOUS POLITICAL FORCES TO FORM A NATIONAL GOVERNMENT.

THIS THEY SAID WOULD REFLECT THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE PEOPLE OF IRAQ AND PAVE THE WAY FOR THE SUBSEQUENT INTEGRATION OF IRAQ INTO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY.

SHAIKH SALMAN NOTED THE INVITATION MADE BY THE US PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA FOR THE GRADUAL WITHDRAWAL OF TROOPS FROM IRAQ, ACCORDING TO A SPECIFIC SCHEDULE TO COINCIDE WITH THE PREPARATION OF QUALIFIED CADRES OF THE ARMY AND THE IRAQI SECURITY FORCES TO MAINTAIN SECURITY AND STABILITY AND TO PRESERVE NATIONAL GAINS.

BOTH SIDES AGREED THE NEED TO THE RETURN OF NORMALITY IN THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN VIA A POLITICAL SOLUTION IN THE INTEREST OF THE IRANIAN PEOPLE.

THE MEETING WAS ATTENDED BY THE OFFICIAL DELEGATION ACCOMPANYING THE CROWN PRINCE AND DEPUTY SUPREME COMMANDER.