Correspondents say the move by the Arab League, in the wake of the decision by the Saudi-led Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), will intensify pressure on Hezbollah.
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Saudi state television carried images of tanks firing missiles and helicopters circling overhead in what local media have called the largest exercise ever held in the Middle East in terms of the number of countries taking part.
In Yemen, Saudi Arabia has been conducting airstrikes since late March past year.
Meeting at a Saudi military base outside Hafr Al Batin near the Saudi border with Iraq, Kerry held talks with Saudi King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Nayef, Defense Minister Mohammed bin Salman and Foreign Minister Adel Al Jubeir. It also sent a strategic message to Iran, and extremist Sunni groups like al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.
It came days after Saudi Arabia in February halted a $3 billion programme for military supplies to Lebanon in protest against Hezbollah.
Hezbollah is a key political and military force in Lebanon, and is involved in the conflict in Syria. The Mediterranean country has weathered a string of militant attacks in recent years linked to the war in neighboring Syria.
“Hezbollah is a Lebanese party that enjoys broad representation in the parliament and Cabinet …”
Hours before the GCC decision, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah delivered a televised speech in which he harshly criticized Saudi Arabia for its punitive measures against Lebanon.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Saturday that the Syrian peace talks might begin on Monday, Al Arabiya News reported.
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Kerry also sought to reassure officials of the importance of U.S.-Saudi ties a day after President Barack Obama was quoted in a U.S. magazine as saying regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran need to “share the neighborhood” and establish a “cold peace”.
