LONDON, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. will be Britain's steadfast ally as it leaves the European Union (EU), Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in London Thursday.
Tillerson held a series of talks throughout Thursday which included a meeting with British Prime Minister Theresa May.
The meetings concluded with a briefing by Tillerson alongside British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson at Lancaster House in London.
Also taking part in the day's meetings were representatives from France, Italy, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.
Their discussions focused on the Middle East, particularly the situations in Iran and Libya as well as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Johnson and Tillerson also discussed the impact Hurricane Irma had had on the United States as well as the Caribbean region.
Tillerson described Britain as a reliable friend and said the U.S. would stand by Britain during what he described as the unique challenges of Brexit.
"We will stand by our ally as Brexit continues to take shape," said Tillerson.
Johnson said Libya was the front line in a common struggle against terrorism and illegal migration, adding "we all share a vital interest in that country's stability."
The situation in DPRK, which had defied the world by testing a nuclear device and firing ballistic missiles, was also discussed during the meetings, according to Johnson.
Tillerson said he had discussed with May the threat posed by Iran in destabilizing the region as well as the situation in Syria once the fight against the Islamic State (IS) is concluded.
