Blinken to Visit KSA in Middle East 5th Tour
The U.S. Foreign Secretary, Antony Blinken, will visit KSA tomorrow as a part of his five-day tour in the Middle East, according to the U.S. State Department.
Notably, this is Blinken’s fifth tour since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza conflict in October last year. The tour is expected to include plans aimed at supporting the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Blinken’s Tour Details
According to the U.S. State Department’s statement, Blinken will travel to Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, Israel, and the West Bank in Palestine from February 4 to 8.
The Secretary will continue diplomatic efforts to reach an agreement ensuring the release of all detained hostages. He aims to achieve ceasefire to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.
Blinken will also work to prevent the spread of conflict. He affirmed the readiness of the United States to take appropriate measures to protect its citizens and ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.
He will continue discussions with partners on establishing an integrated and peaceful region that ensures lasting security for both Palestinians and Israelis alike.
Blinken’s Previous Tour in Middle East
It is worth noting that Blinken visited the Middle East previously and the last visit was in January. In his last tour, Blinken visited several countries in the region, including Saudi Arabia, and Turkey.
He also visited Jordan, Qatar, the UAE, Israel, the West Bank, Bahrain, and Egypt. In all the states, Blinken warned of the danger of the escalation of the conflict between Hamas and Israel into a regional conflict.
Salman, Blinken Previous Meeting
Last January, Blinken met with Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince, discussing the Israel- Gaza conflict. In the meeting, Salman emphasized the importance of halting military operations in Gaza and intensifying further humanitarian efforts.
Additionally, he stressed the necessity of maintaining stability in the region. He also highlighted the importance of restoring the path of peace to ensure the Palestinian people’s legitimate rights. Moreover, he confirmed the need to achieve a just and lasting peace.
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