Canberra, Jumada I 16, 1439, Feb 2, 2018, SPA -- The inaugural Sub-Regional Defense Ministers' Meeting on Counter-Terrorism was held in Perth, Australia, on 1 February 2018. Australia's Minister of Defense Senator Marise Payne said in a statement that the two-day meeting is a new forum which brings together ministers from Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation in our region. "This new forum will enhance our ability to respond to these challenges together, to prevent terrorist groups from gaining a foothold in our region," the minister said. --SPA 12:30 LOCAL TIME 09:30 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w601733