- Amid strained relations, the top US diplomat is on a 3-day official visit to Saudi Arabia.
- They had a “clear discussion that covered regional issues thoroughly”.
- Both sides reiterated their shared commitment to advancing stability in the Middle East.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blanken, who is in Saudi Arabia on an official visit, discussed regional and bilateral issues with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, commonly known as MBS, in Jeddah late Tuesday night. .
The top US diplomat arrived in KSA late on Tuesday on a three-day official visit amid strained relations between the two countries due to deep differences over several issues, including Iran policy and regional security.
“They had an open, frank discussion that covered the full range of regional and bilateral issues,” AFP The US official said.
After the meeting, the US State Department said in a statement that Blanken praised Saudi Arabia’s leadership in hosting the ISIL/Ministry and emphasized joint efforts against terrorism.
“The two reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing stability, security and prosperity in the Middle East and beyond, including through a comprehensive political agreement to achieve peace, prosperity and security in Yemen,” the statement added. “, the statement added.
The US Secretary of State also emphasized that progress on human rights strengthens bilateral relations.
Blankenship and the Saudi crown prince also discussed deepening economic cooperation, particularly in the areas of clean energy and technology. “The Secretary thanked the Crown Prince for Saudi Arabia’s support for the evacuation of hundreds of American citizens from Sudan and for the Kingdom’s continued participation in diplomatic negotiations to end the fighting there,” the statement added.
Blankenship’s visit is aimed at boosting ties with longtime ally Saudi Arabia, which has begun to forge closer ties with Washington’s rivals.
The visit will also focus on the joint fight against the Daesh terror group and the Arab world’s relationship with Israel.
The meeting, which lasted for about 100 minutes, discussed topics including Saudi Arabia’s support for the US withdrawal from Sudan, the need for political dialogue in Yemen and the possibility of normalizing relations with Israel.
Blanken said on social media that the two men “discussed our shared priorities, including countering terrorism through the D-ISIS alliance, achieving peace in Yemen, and deepening economic and scientific cooperation”.
Since announcing in March that it was restoring ties with Iran, Saudi Arabia has restored ties with Tehran’s ally Syria and stepped up efforts for peace in Yemen, where it has for years defeated the Iran-backed Houthis. He has led a military coalition against the rebels.
Regional heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Iran have been at loggerheads for years, supporting opposing sides in multiple conflicts around the volatile region.
— with additional input from AFP