The Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman, has on Wednesday received the US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, in Riyadh, reported the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
During their meeting, the Saudi Crown Prince and the US State Secretary reviewed bilateral relations and fields of joint cooperation.
📹 | HRH the Crown Prince receives U.S. Secretary of State. 🇸🇦🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/1oL5xJRhle
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) October 23, 2024
Furthermore, their discussions focused on the latest regional and international developments, most notably the situation in Gaza and Lebanon, and efforts made towards halting military operations there and addressing their security and humanitarian implications.
Senior Saudi officials joined the meeting, including Minister of State, Cabinet Member and National Security Adviser, Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, and General Intelligence President Khalid bin Ali Al-Humaidan.
Meanwhile, the US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Michael Ratney, and Blinken’s accompanying delegation attended the meeting.
Earlier on Wednesday, the US Secretary of State met with his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, in Riyadh. Both officials discussed the regional developments, particularly in Gaza and Lebanon, and the efforts made to address them. They also explored bilateral relations.
Blinken is on an official Middle Eastern trip, which involves Saudi Arabia, Israel and Qatar, in addition to the UK, from October 21-25, 2024.
The trip aims to discuss the importance of ending the war in Gaza, releasing all hostages, and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people, the US State Department said in a statement.
Blinken will also continue discussions on post-conflict period planning, emphasizing the need to allow more aid to civilians in Gaza and to chart a new path that enables them to rebuild their lives.
Moreover, the US State Secretary will discuss the need to reach a diplomatic resolution to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon that complies with UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
