US defense secretary continues Gulf tour

Kuwaiti President Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah on Monday in Kuwait met with the UN defense Secretary William Cohen. The two sides discussed bilateral relations and means of "strengthening them in the military area as well as issues of mutual concern on the regional and international levels."

Cohen arrived in Kuwait on Monday on a one-day official visit during which he held talks with high-ranking Kuwaiti officials on bilateral relations, especially military cooperation relations.

Cohen is expected to head today for Saudi Arabia at the conclusion of his Gulf tour, which has so far covered Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

He is expected to hold talks with Saudi Arabia's King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz and Saudi Defense Minister Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz. On Wednesday, Cohen will inspect the US troops stationed in Saudi Arabia before he heads back home.