Saudi-Jordan defence ties to continue 

(MENAFN - Jordan Times) Saudi-Jordanian cooperation in the field of defence and training is strong and is set to increase because the two countries share the same concerns and interests, a senior Saudi official said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the ninth Special Operations Forces Exhibition (SOFEX) 2012, Saudi Deputy Defence Minister Prince Khaled Bin Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz commended the "strong brotherly ties" between Saudi Arabia and Jordan, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The official said Saudi Arabia's participation in "Exercise Eager Lion 12", a military drill in Jordan that includes 17 Arab and foreign countries, has no hidden goals, but is rather part of the Gulf kingdom's measures to build the capacity of its armed forces.

He stressed that Saudi Arabia's participation has nothing to do with the unrest in the region.

"Exercise Eager Lion 12" was scheduled to begin on May 7 and continue until May 28, bringing together more than 8,000 participants from over five continents.

A US official statement said the land, sea and air drills are aimed at strengthening military-to-military relationships of participating partner nations through a multinational approach.

The Saudi official on Tuesday commended the industrial capabilities of the King Abdullah II Design and Development Bureau, which he said is a source of pride for all Arab countries, according to Petra.

He noted that Saudi Arabia is currently working on developing its weapons industry through the private sector to safeguard its national security interests.

The Jordan Armed Forces participated in a joint military exercise with Kuwait in the Gulf country in April, while the Royal Jordanian Air Force took part in an international military drill in Bahrain in the same month.