Blinken to visit Egypt to discuss ceasefire and post-war plans

CAIRO - 19 March 2024: The US State Department announced on Tuesday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit the Middle East this week, as Washington seeks a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, to allow the release of the hostages.

 

The US State Department said that Blinken will visit Saudi Arabia and Egypt and meet with senior leaders in the two countries, where he will discuss with officials in Egypt and Saudi Arabia ways to provide more humanitarian aid to Gaza, in addition to discussing plans for the post-war phase.

 

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that the US Secretary of State will hold discussions with Saudi leaders in Jeddah on Wednesday before heading to Cairo on Thursday to meet with Egyptian officials.

 

This will be Blinken's sixth tour in the Middle East since the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas on October 7.

 

Blinken will also discuss "a political path for the Palestinian people with security guarantees with Israel, and a structure for lasting peace and security in the region."

 

Blinken will also raise the imperative issue of putting an end to Houthi attacks in Yemen on commercial ships, to restore stability and security in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, according to Miller.