MBS and US Secretary of State Blinken spoke about the situation in Gaza and Lebanon.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed on Wednesday the situation in Gaza and Lebanon as well as means to end the military conflict in both countries, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported.
In addition to reviewing bilateral ties and means of cooperation, MBS and Blinken discussed “regional and international developments of common interest with the developments in Gaza and Lebanon being at the forefront,” SPA reported, adding that the leaders discussed “efforts exerted to halt the military operations and the handling of their security and humanitarian repercussions.”
Following the meeting, the State Department said that Blinken discussed with MBS the “common efforts to end the conflicts in the region and establish greater peace and security.”
The top US diplomat also “emphasized the need to end the war in Gaza, free the hostages, and enable the people of Gaza to rebuild their lives free from Hamas.”
In addition to the need toward resolving the situation in Lebanon, the State Department added that discussions also focused “on the need to establish lasting regional stability, including through greater integration among countries in the region.”
Blinken, coming from a trip to Tel Aviv, also met with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan where the situation in Gaza and Lebanon was also on top of the agenda.
“The two sides discussed regional developments, primarily the situation in Gaza and Lebanon, and the ongoing efforts to address them. They also reviewed bilateral relations between the two countries,” a statement from the Saudi foreign ministry said.
Blinken, according to the State Department, “underscored the importance of bringing the war in Gaza to an end and releasing all hostages.”
“The Secretary and Foreign Minister continued discussions on how to establish security, governance, and reconstruction in the post-conflict period,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement.
“They also discussed the need for a diplomatic solution in Lebanon that allows Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return to their homes,” Miller said adding that Blinken thanked Prince Faisal for the Kingdom’s work to facilitate humanitarian aid into Gaza and Lebanon.
The situation in Sudan was also tackled, Miller added.
Blinken, who arrived in Israel on Tuesday, is on his 11th visit to the region since the start of the war in Gaza and his first since Israel-Hezbollah violence escalated into all-out war late last month.
