| diplomaticbriefing Oct 15 | U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken will return to Israel on Monday, a senior State Department official said, extending his Middle East shuttle diplomacy by a day as Israel prepares for a ground offensive in the Gaza Strip and the United States works to stop the conflict from spreading. The top U.S. diplomat arrived in Israel on Thursday and has since visited six Arab countries. He is currently in Egypt and is expected to meet with President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi. Washington has grown increasingly worried about the fighting spreading across the region and has warned Iran to stay out of it. Blinken has sought the cooperation of Arab allies, as well as China, a country with influence on Tehran, to contain the conflict. But late on Saturday, Iran warned of "far-reaching consequences" if Israel's bombardment was not stopped. Before departing for Cairo, Blinken held talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, one of the most powerful leaders of the region, a meeting the top U.S. diplomat described as "very productive." In the meeting, the Saudi crown prince stressed the need to find ways to stop the conflict, and respect international law, including by lifting the Israeli blockade on Gaza, Saudi state news agency SPA reported. "(The crown prince stressed the need to find) a peace path to ensure that the Palestinian people obtain their legitimate rights and achieve just and lasting peace," SPA said. (https://neuters.de/world/middle-east/blinken-will-meet-with-saudi-crown-price-sunday-riyadh-us-official-says-2023-10-15/) A U.S. official said the meeting lasted for just under an hour and took place at the crown prince's private farm residence. | | | | You can also reply to this email to leave a comment. | | | | |
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