HispanicBusiness

U.S. President Barack Obama met with Saudi Interior Minister Prince Mohammed bin Naif in Washington on Monday to discuss security and regional issues, the Saudi Press Agency said.

During the meeting, Prince Mohammed conveyed the greetings of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to Obama and his best wishes of further progress and prosperity for the American people. For his part, President Obama sent his greetings to King Abdullah.

A statement issued by the White House after the meeting said Obama and Prince Mohammed stressed the strength of the partnership ties between Saudi Arabia and the United States.

"They affirmed the strong partnership between the United States and Saudi Arabia, and discussed security and regional issues of mutual interest," the White House said in a brief of the Oval Office talks.

The meeting was attended by Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Saudi ambassador to the United States.

Obama also congratulated Prince Mohammed for his appointment as minister of interior.

The prince was appointed to the post in November after the death of his father, then Crown Prince and long-time Interior Minister Naif bin Abdulaziz.

Before his appointment, Prince Mohammed was in charge of security enforcement.