US Defence Secretary Ash Carter and his Israeli counterpart Avigdor Lieberman on Monday reaffirmed the strength of the US-Israeli defence relationship, the Pentagon said in a statement.

 At their meeting at the Pentagon, Carter reaffirmed the US "unwavering commitment to Israel's security," the statement said.

The two defence chiefs also discussed regional security challenges in the Middle East and areas of mutual defence cooperation, Xinhua reported.

During his visit to the US, Lieberman will also travel to Fort Worth, Texas, for a ceremony as the first F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft destined for Israel rolls off the production line.

Israel will be the first US partner to receive the F-35, which will "play a key role in maintaining Israel's qualitative military edge in the Middle East," the statement said.

Source : business-standard.com