Politics

Blinken arrives in Jordan on another Middle East tour to prevent spread of conflict

Amman, Jan 7 (EFE).- United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Amman Sunday to meet with his counterpart, Ayman Safadi, and the King of Jordan, Abdullah II, as a part of his fourth tour of the Middle East since the outbreak of war in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7.

Blinken’s trip comes amid fears of the conflict spreading to other parts of the Middle East.

“I’m in the Middle East this week to meet with our partners in the region on the situation in Gaza,” Blinken said on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

“These are not necessarily easy conversations. But it is vital that we engage in this diplomacy now both for the future of Gaza itself and for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” he added.

According to Jordanian state television Al Mamlaka, Safadi and Blinken are to discuss the worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, during which the former is expected to convey the need to immediately stop the Israeli aggression, demand the protection of civilians and ensure uninterrupted access of humanitarian aid.

Jordanian foreign ministry spokesperson Sufyan al-Qudah told the state broadcaster Safadi will reaffirm their rejection of the displacement of Palestinians, in response to recent statements by Israeli ministers on the reoccupation of Gaza.

He is further expected to underline the need for a separate state of Palestine for a definite end to the conflict.

During the meeting, both leaders will also hold extensive talks to stop Israeli actions in the West Bank, Jerusalem and its Islamic and Christian holy sites, according to the spokesperson.

According to the US State Department, Blinken will also meet with Jordanian monarch Abdullah II before heading to Qatar, where he will meet with the country’s emir, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Foreign Minister Mohamed bin Abderrahman Al Thani.

It is Blinken’s fourth trip to the Middle East since the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas carried out the unprecedented terrorist attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7, which led to the war against the Gaza Strip.

Blinken will also visit the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the West Bank and Egypt in the coming days as a part of this trip. EFE

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