(MENAFN - Jordan Times) His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday held talks with two defence officials on means to enhance cooperation and coordination between Jordan and their respective countries to boost regional security and stability.
King Abdullah met separately with Iraq's Defence Minister Sadoun Dulaimi and Saudi Deputy Defence Minister Prince Khaled Bin Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, who are currently visiting the Kingdom to participate in the 9th Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX 2012).
At their meeting, the King and Dulaimi reviewed ways to boost bilateral relations, a Royal Court statement said. They also discussed the latest regional developments, in addition to several issues of mutual concern.
King Abdullah and the Saudi official also went over political changes in Arab countries.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Mashal Al Zaben on Sunday met with Dulaimi over means to further cooperation in the military field.
The Iraqi and the Saudi officials will attend the Middle East Special Operations Commanders' Conference (MESOC) to be held Monday, alongside international military officials.
SOFEX will commence today with a conference to be held under the Royal patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah.
The forum has become a key meeting point for the global community of special operations, its thought leaders and future leaders, SOFEX Managing Director Amer Tabbaa said in a statement to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, on Sunday.
Several heads of state, defence ministers and army chiefs will attend the gathering, organised by the Institute for Near East and Gulf Military Analysis, he noted, according to Petra.
Participants include delegates from the US, the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Turkey, Tanzania and Australia, besides Jordan, Tabbaa pointed out.
Minister of Defence of Italy Admiral Gianpaolo Dipaola arrived in Amman yesterday to attend the conference and other SOFEX activities and to meet with Jordanian military officials, an Italian embassy statement stated.
Italy's Deputy Secretary General of Defence Lt. Gen. Mario Marioli has also arrived in Amman to attend SOFEX.
A Greek delegation comprising representatives from six defence-oriented companies will participate in the event. The delegation also comprises two high-ranking officers of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff/General Directorate of Defence Investments and Armaments.
Also delegates of the organising team of DEFENSYS 2012, an international defence and security exhibition that will be held at Thessaloniki " Greece, at the end of October 2012, are accompanying them, a Greek embassy statement said.
The one-day conference will be followed by a three-day exhibition, showcasing security equipment and technologies, held at the King Abdullah I Air Base in Marka.
