Riyadh, Dhu-AlQa'dah 18, 1432, Oct 16, 2011, SPA -- Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, Secretary General of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), met at his office here today, with the United States (U.S) Ambassador to the Kingdom James Smith. http://www.spa.gov.sa/English/ListNewsInCat.php?pg=1&catid=9

During the meeting, they discussed ways of strengthening and developing relations between the GCC's member countries and U.S, and the latest developments at the regional and international arenas.

[SOME BACKROUND ON US AMBASSADOR TO S. ARABIA,JOHN SMITH...Ambassador to Saudi Arabia: Who is James B. Smith? http://www.allgov.com/ViewNews/Ambassador_to_Saudi_Arabia__Who_is_James_B_Smith_90803 ,

Smith at least has spent time in Saudi Arabia, back when he was a fighter pilot flying missions during Desert Storm. As a longtime Air Force officer, and most recently an executive for defense contractor Raytheon, Smith is also well versed in American military hardware, the most important U.S. export to Saudi Arabia.

He was serving as International Business Development Executive for Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems when Obama appointed him to be ambassador to Saudi Arabia, to which Raytheon has been providing weapons and services since 1966.