His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, Minister of Defence and Supreme Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), yesterday consented to receive in audience the Commander of United States Pacific Fleet, Admiral Patrick M Walsh who is on a brief visit to Brunei Darussalam.

Also present during the audience were Major General Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin, Commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces and Mr Alexander L Barrasso, Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of the United States in Brunei Darussalam.

The audience ceremony took place at Istana Nurul Iman.

The Charge d'Affaires of the US Embassy said, "The visit underscores the importance the US places on engagement with Brunei and Southeast Asia. We hope they laid the groundwork to deepen and broaden the bilateral military relationship.

"The 2011 military calendar is packed and the US will demonstrate its commitment through significant participation throughout," he added. - Borneo Bulletin (21st January 2011)