By Xinhua
Washington : The United States will discuss a major arms package with Saudi Arabia when top U.S. officials visit the gulf Arab country next week, a senior defense official said here Friday.
U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is expected to discuss the American recommendations with the Saudis during the coming visit to the kingdom with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, said the official who asked not to be identified.
"We've been working very hard on the Saudi arms package, which we believe is critical to the overarching architecture that we believe we are going to need … to deal with the changing strategic threat from Iran and other forces," the official said.
The official did not provide details on the arms package.
Gates and Rice are due to visit Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Israel and the Palestinian territories from July 30 to August 2.
During their stops in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Rice and Gates are expected to meet with their counterparts to "discuss the ways in which Iraq's neighbors can help advance the cause of security and stability in that country," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said Monday.