WASHINGTON:  (DNA) – President Donald Trump’s nominee for US ambassador to Saudi Arabia, General John Abizaid, has said Saudi Arabia plays a pivotal role in the fight against global terrorism.

General Abizaid, speaking on Wednesday, said it would be a “great honor” to work on strengthening the relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia.

He added that Saudi Arabia’s contribution had effectively cut off funding networks for Daesh — which he said has been “nearly vanquished on the ground,” but remains a “potent threat” to the US and its allies — and that any “reduction of relations between America and Saudi Arabia” would undermine regional security.