US, Saudi officials stress efforts to combat violent extremism

U.S. President Barack Obama's top aides underlined efforts to address violent extremism in meetings with visiting Interior Minister of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Nayef, the White House said in a statement Thursday. While meeting with the Saudi Arabian official at the White House in two separate occasions Wednesday, National Security Advisor Susan Rice and Lisa Monaco, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, discussed efforts to address violent extremism and to counter terrorism across the Middle East, and exchanged views on regional issues. They also pledged efforts committed to continuing strengthened cooperation on a range of common interests, said the statement. Obama will travel to Saudi Arabia to meet with King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud in March.