MUSCAT, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- Oman and Britain signed on Thursday a joint defense agreement at the headquarters of the Omani Ministry of Defense in the capital Muscat.
The agreement was signed by Oman's Defense Minister Badr bin Saud bin Harib al-Busaidi and British Secretary of State for Defence Gavin Williamson.
The agreement was based on the two countries' commitment to joint defense of their security and stability, their support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each other, and the development of military ties, said a statement released by Omani Ministry of Defense.
According to the statement, al-Busaidi said the deal underscores the importance of launching joint military actions to ensure security and stability of the two countries and to prepare for further military cooperation and joint exercises.
For his part, Williamson described Gulf security as "an extension of British security, saying it is important to expand British horizons "to become a global nation after the withdrawal from the European Union."
The Omani-British joint military exercise, dubbed "Storm Mountain," was launched on Wednesday by the Omani army, with the participation of Oman's Musandam Security Force and Umbrella Force as well as British Royal Army units.
