Muscat, Oct. 30, 2019, SPA -- Mohammed Al-Ayesh, Assistant Defense Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, led his country's delegation to the 16th GCC Joint Defense Council, comprising defense ministers of the GCC countries, which was held in Muscat under the chairmanship of Oman's minister in charge of defense affairs Badr bin Saud bin Hareb Albusaeedi in the participation of GCC secretary general Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashed Al-Zayani. The meeting discussed the agenda on schedule. Following the meeting, Dr. Al-Zayani expressed the ministers gratitude of the royal instructions and strenuous efforts being exerted by their majesties, and royal highnesses, the leaders of the GCC countries, to enhance the march of the GCC as well as the generous hospitality accorded to them and their delegations by the host country. He also expressed their belief that the defense of the GCC countries is an integral issue and that any attack on any party is considered an attack against the group. The ministers lauded the preparedness of the GCC countries armed forces to defend their countries and peoples, vowing to further upgrade their defense plans to protect their countries and peoples, he said, adding that they lauded the cooperation witnessed by the armed forces of the GCC with friendly and ally countries. He said the ministers discussed the regional developments and their impact on the security and integral unity of the GCC countries and peoples, confirming the importance of regional free navigation in the Arab Gulf waters. The ministers expressed denunciation of the brutal attack on Saudi Arabian oil facilities last September, confirming their support for the Kingdom as per any action it has or might take to protect its facilities, sovereignty and stability, Al-Zayani said. He added that they lauded the surprise attack the US launched against Daesh leaders near the north east Syrian city of Edlib, killing a number of their top leaders, including Abubakr Al-Baghdadi, a development seen as might lead to the collapse of the terrorist organization. --SPA 20:19 LOCAL TIME 17:19 GMT 0047 www.spa.gov.sa/w1201216