Turkey decorates Saudi King Salman for building close ties

Ankara, Turkey - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday bestowed the medal, saying the King Salman had exerted "great efforts" to forge friendly ties since taking the throne.

Turkey has decorated the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia, with the country's highest state medal in recognition of the close ties between the two countries. 
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday bestowed the medal, saying the King Salman had exerted "great efforts" to forge friendly ties since taking the throne. 
Saudi Arabia and Turkey are both strong supporters of the opposition forces in Syria and have been building strong military ties. Turkey participated in military drills in Saudi Arabia this year. Riyadh has deployed warplanes at a Turkish air base as part of the anti-Daesh coalition. 
Talks during the king's three-day visit were expected to focus on Syria and other regional issues. 
King Salman is scheduled to attend an Islamic Cooperation summit in Istanbul later in the week.

• Saudi Arabia
• MENA