U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Sunday, as part of his diplomatic efforts to end the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The two leaders discussed the situation in Gaza, where Israel has launched a massive military campaign in response to Hamas’s unprecedented terror attack on October 7 that killed 1,300 Israelis and took dozens of hostages.
Blinken said he and the crown prince agreed on the need for an immediate ceasefire and the protection of civilians. He also thanked Saudi Arabia for its humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians and its support for the U.S.-led efforts to restore calm.
“We had a very productive meeting. We discussed not only the situation in Gaza, but also our broader partnership and cooperation on regional and global issues,” Blinken told reporters after the meeting.
Blinken also said he raised the issue of human rights with the crown prince, who is widely seen as the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia and has been accused of involvement in the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
“I made clear that the United States is committed to universal human rights and the rule of law, and that we expect all our partners to uphold these values,” Blinken said.
The meeting was Blinken’s fourth stop on his whirlwind tour of the Middle East, which also included Jordan, Qatar and Bahrain. He is expected to visit Egypt and the United Arab Emirates before returning to Washington on Sunday night.
Blinken’s trip comes amid growing international pressure on Israel to halt its offensive in Gaza, which has killed more than 2,200 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to health officials. Israel says it is targeting Hamas militants and their infrastructure, including a network of underground tunnels.
Hamas, which controls Gaza, has fired thousands of rockets into Israel, causing widespread damage and disruption. It has also vowed to continue its resistance until Israel lifts its blockade on Gaza and meets its other demands.
The U.S. has repeatedly expressed its support for Israel’s right to defend itself, but has also urged it to do more to avoid civilian casualties and facilitate humanitarian access. The U.S. has also blocked several attempts by the UN Security Council to issue a statement calling for a ceasefire.
(With inputs from agencies)
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