RABAT, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Morocco and the United States vowed on Tuesday to further strengthen security cooperation, said a statement by the Moroccan defence ministry.

The Moroccan minister in charge of national defence, Abdeltif Loudyi, met with the visiting U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, Robert Karem, in Moroccan capital Rabat, lauding the "solidity, excellence and sustainability of the strategic partnership" between the two countries, the statement said.

During the meeting, the two sides voiced willingness to develop their long-standing relations, especially in modernizing defense systems, capacity building and interoperability.

They also exchanged views on the regional security situation, particularly in the Mediterranean region and the Sahel-Saharan strip, the source said.

Meanwhile, the two officials reviewed the bilateral cooperation in training personnel, exchanging expertise and organizing joint exercises.

The U.S. official is leading a large delegation on a two-day visit to Morocco.