MANAMA, Bahrain, April 9 (UPI) -- The commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps has met with Bahrain's defense chief on strengthening military cooperation.
The Bahrain Tribune said the meeting took place last week in Manama, the capital of Bahrain, during Gen. James T. Conway's trip to the region to visit U.S. Marines in Iraq and elsewhere.
Bahrain is only about 3.5 times the size of Washington, DC., but is a key Gulf ally. It's the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, which coordinates U.S. naval operations in the Gulf and surrounding areas. It is also involved in multinational naval operations involving U.S. allies, such as task forces to deter smuggling and piracy.
According to the report, Conway and Crown Prince Shaikh Salman bin Haman Al Khalifa also spoke about latest regional and international events. More precise details, however, were not disclosed.
