HE the Minister of State for Defence Affairs, Dr Khalid bin Mohamed al-Attiyah yesterday hosted a dinner banquet in honour of the Commander of US Central Command (Centcom) Gen. Joseph Votel. The two sides discussed bilateral military ties and the means to enhance them. They also discussed joint counter-terrorism operations. The banquet was attended among others by Chief of Staff of the Qatari Armed Forces Maj. Gen. (Pilot) Ghanem bin Shaheen al-Ghanem as well as commanders of the land forces, air forces, navy, and joint special forces.