(VOVWORLD) -US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Monday at the start of his fifth visit to the Middle East since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict in October, to discuss the region’s escalating situation.
 US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
Both sides emphasized the importance of addressing humanitarian needs in Gaza and preventing the conflict from spreading further.
Blinken is scheduled to visit Egypt, Qatar, Israel, and the West Bank, to promote negotiations with Hamas, brokered by Egypt and Qatar, on an agreement to free Israeli hostages in Gaza.
One of Blinken's priorities during his trip is to send a clear message that the US does not want to escalate conflicts.
Armed groups have been attacking US forces in Iraq and Syria, and Houthi forces in Yemen have been attacking ships in the Red Sea.