Panetta meets Australian counterpart; discusses Afghanistan

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US defence secretary Leon Panetta on Thursday met his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith to discuss a wide range of bilateral and global issues including the war in Afghanistan and global threat from terrorism.

“They discussed a wide range of topics of mutual interest, including the war in Afghanistan, the threat of terrorism, and initiatives that will give both militaries the ability to work and operate together even more effectively in the region and beyond,” Pentagon spokesman George Little said.

Panetta reiterated his commitment to the strong alliance between the United States and Australia, he said, adding that it was secretary’s first meeting with Smith, although they had spoken over phone earlier in July.

The secretary and the minister said they look forward to seeing one another at the Australia-United States ministerial consultations later this summer, Little said.

Panetta also met a delegation from the Egyptian Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to emphasise the continuing importance of the US-Egyptian military ties.

The Egyptian delegation is in Washington to meet several senior US officials, Little said.