Riyadh Welcomes US Secretary of State Antony Blinken
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a grand entrance in Saudi Arabia on Monday, marking the start of his extensive tour of the Middle East. His primary agenda includes crucial discussions on the governance of Gaza post the ongoing conflict with Israel.
Pressure Mounts on Israel as Blinken Heads to Jerusalem
Blinken is set to make his way to Israel later this week, where he is anticipated to push Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to take substantial actions demanded by US President Joe Biden to alleviate the distressing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Diplomatic Meetings and Strategic Talks in Riyadh
During his time in Riyadh, Blinken is scheduled to engage in high-level meetings with senior Saudi officials and convene with counterparts from five Arab nations – Qatar, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. The focus will be on shaping the future governance structure of the Gaza Strip post-conflict.
European Support for Gaza Reconstruction
Blinken is also expected to facilitate dialogue between Arab nations and European states on ways in which Europe can contribute to the rebuilding efforts in Gaza, which has endured relentless bombardment for the past six months, leaving it in ruins.
Recognition of Palestinian Statehood on the Horizon
A coalition of European countries, including Norway, is gearing up to acknowledge Palestinian statehood in alignment with an Arab state-backed peace proposal to be presented at the United Nations. Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide emphasized the significance of collective action in this endeavor.
Egypt Hosts Talks with Hamas as Blinken’s Visit Unfolds
Simultaneously, Egypt is poised to facilitate discussions with leaders of the Islamist group Hamas to explore prospects for a potential ceasefire agreement with Israel, underscoring the complex diplomatic landscape in the region.