US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Wednesday. The meeting is part of Blinken’s efforts to end the conflicts in the Middle East, particularly in Gaza. Blinken stressed the importance of ending the war in Gaza, freeing hostages, and helping the people of Gaza rebuild their lives without Hamas.
Blinken’s Middle East tour is aimed at pushing for a ceasefire in Gaza and preventing the conflict from spreading across the region. On Tuesday, he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. They discussed the “day after the war” in Gaza and a possible “governing framework” for the territory. Netanyahu’s office highlighted these discussions as key to the future of Gaza post-conflict.
Saudi Role in Regional Peace
Saudi Arabia has maintained that it will not normalize relations with Israel without the establishment of a Palestinian state. However, Blinken suggested there is still potential for a new direction in the region. He noted that despite the ongoing violence, there remains a significant opportunity for peace and normalization, with Saudi Arabia playing a central role in those efforts.
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Postponed Visit to Jordan
Blinken was scheduled to visit Jordan to meet with Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi. However, Jordan’s Foreign Ministry announced late Tuesday that the visit had been postponed without explanation. Before Blinken’s arrival in Riyadh, King Abdullah II of Jordan had met with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Both leaders emphasized the importance of securing ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon, reaffirming their support for the Palestinian and Lebanese people.
During his trip to Israel, Blinken called for an end to the Gaza war, urging Israel to build on its recent military successes, including the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. He emphasized that Israel should focus on bringing the war to a close and preparing for what comes next. Blinken stressed two main priorities: securing the release of hostages and ending the war with a clear post-conflict strategy.
Blinken’s trip marks his 11th visit to the region since the Gaza war began in October last year. This visit comes amid rising tensions between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. Talks with Netanyahu focused on the ongoing Gaza conflict, efforts to broker a ceasefire, and the release of hostages. They also discussed the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and preparations for the aftermath of the conflict.
Stalled Ceasefire Talks
The US, along with Egypt and Qatar, has been trying to mediate a ceasefire deal for months. However, talks have stalled, with both sides accusing the other of obstructing the process. Despite these challenges, Blinken remains committed to finding a diplomatic solution and ending the violence in Gaza.
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