From the Liveblog of
Monday, February 5, 2024
Blinken, MBS discuss Israeli-Saudi ties in Riyadh, ahead of secretary’s arrival in Tel Aviv
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed “building a more integrated region” with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during their meeting in Riyadh, the State Department says, using language widely understood to refer to an Israel-Saudi normalization agreement.
Blinken is in Saudi Arabia for the first of five stops on his fifth regional tour aimed at advancing diplomatic solutions to bring an end to the ongoing war in Gaza after four months. He will also be traveling to Qatar, Egypt, Israel and the West Bank, before returning to the US on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia has said it is still interested in normalizing relations with Israel but that it will be contingent on Israel agreeing to create a pathway for the future establishment of a Palestinian state — something that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has all but rejected.
During their meeting in Riyadh, Blinken also “underscored the importance of addressing humanitarian needs in Gaza and preventing further spread of the conflict,” the State Department says.
“The secretary and crown prince continued discussions on regional coordination to achieve an enduring end to the crisis in Gaza that provides lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” the US readout adds.
No Saudi readout was immediately available.
