From the Liveblog of
Sunday, December 17, 2023
US reveals top Biden aide visited UAE for talks on war in Gaza, Houthi threats to shipping
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
The White House reveals that US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan traveled to Abu Dhabi on Friday for a meeting with his Emirati counterpart Tahnoun bin Zayed, about the ongoing war in Gaza.
The pair discussed “ongoing efforts to bring about a just and durable peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians,” the White House says, adding that Sullivan thanked the UAE for its “ongoing humanitarian response in Gaza, including establishment of a field hospital for Palestinian civilians.”
They also touched on “countering threats from the Houthis to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea,” the US readout says.
“Finally, they discussed areas of deepening bilateral cooperation to include future investments in advanced technology, security and defense coordination, regional stability and integration, and shared efforts to promote an affirmative agenda for the people of the Middle East region,” the White House adds.
