RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz made a phone call to his Iraqi counterpart Thabet Muhammad Al-Absi, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported. Prince Khalid congratulated Al-Absi on his recent appointment as minister of defense in the new government formed in Iraq last month. During the phone call, both officials discussed bilateral ties on Sunday and ways of enhancing cooperation in the field of defense in a manner that serves the interest of both countries. They also discussed several issues of common interest. Last month, Iraq formed a new government and appointed new ministers after a year-long political deadlock.