Mattis stresses commitment to NATO to German defense chief: Pentagon

[January 27, 2017]    WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Defense Secretary James Mattis stressed the United States' commitment to NATO in a telephone call with Germany's defense minister on Thursday, the Pentagon said.

Retired U.S. Marine Corps General James Mattis testifies before a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on his nomination to serve as defense secretary in Washington, U.S. January 12, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Mattis assured German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen of "the United States’ enduring commitment to the NATO alliance," the Pentagon said in a statement.

It said Mattis discussed the importance of NATO in a separate call with French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. In a call with Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, Mattis underscored his "unwavering commitment to Israel's security," the Pentagon said.

(Reporting by Idrees Ali; Writing by the Washington Newsroom; Editing by Sandra Maler)

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