Article Posted on : - Sep 20, 2011

WASHINGTON (PTI): US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta met his Israeli counterpart Ehud Barak at the Pentagon during which the two leaders stressed the importance of close security ties that bind the two nations.

“Panetta and Barak each stressed the importance of the close security ties that bind the two nations, including America’s continued commitment to ensuring Israel’s qualitative military edge,” said Doug Wilson Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs.

“They focused on a range of issues, including Iran, political changes in the region, counterterrorism and global economic conditions,” Wilson said after the talks between the two.

Panetta will travel to the region in the near future when he is expected to meet again with Barak, he said.

This was the second Pentagon meeting for the two defence leaders since Panetta became Defence Secretary in July.