The US secretary of state is working to prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East.
RIYADH: US secretary of state Antony Blinken today said he held a “very productive” meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, a critical diplomatic engagement as Israel prepared to launch a ground assault in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and Washington worked to contain the conflict.
A US official said the meeting lasted for just under an hour and took place at the Crown Prince’s private farm residence. “The two affirmed their shared commitment to protecting civilians and to advancing stability across the Middle East and beyond,” Miller added. Blinken has embarked on his most extensive trip to date to the Middle East, working with Arab allies to prevent the war from spiralling into a wider conflict and help secure the release of hostages kidnapped by Hamas militants.