US Secretary of State Visits Riyadh for Discussions on Trump's Controversial Gaza Initiative and Ukraine Conflict
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Synopsis
On February 18, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Riyadh for discussions with Saudi officials about a controversial US proposal for Gaza, marking his first Middle East tour in this capacity. The talks involve regional security and the ongoing situation in Ukraine.
Key Takeaways
- Marco Rubio's visit centers on Gaza proposal.
- Trump's Gaza plan faces Arab criticism.
- Saudi Arabia hosts regional summit for alternatives.
- Rubio emphasizes importance of regional security.
- Discussions about Ukraine conflict are ongoing.
Riyadh, Feb 18 (NationPress) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has landed in Riyadh to engage with Saudi officials, concentrating on a contentious US proposal regarding Gaza, as part of his inaugural Middle East tour as the leading US diplomat.
Rubio's journey to Saudi Arabia follows the announcement from US President Donald Trump regarding a plan to "take over" Gaza, which would involve relocating millions of Palestinians from the beleaguered territory.
The US State Department confirmed that Rubio had discussions with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, during which he emphasized the significance of a Gaza arrangement that bolsters regional security, according to Xinhua news agency.
The official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that they deliberated on regional and global developments and the ongoing efforts to attain security and stability.
Rubio also met with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud to discuss enhancing bilateral relations, recent regional and international occurrences, and collaborative efforts, as reported by the SPA.
US media outlets indicated that a primary agenda item for Rubio was advocating for Trump's Gaza relocation proposal, which has faced severe backlash from Arab nations.
Egypt, along with Saudi Arabia and Jordan, has been spearheading initiatives to create an Arab-led alternative. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry revealed last week that Egypt intends to present a "comprehensive vision" for Gaza's reconstruction that avoids population displacement.
Riyadh is slated to host a regional summit on Friday, with participation from Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and other nations to formalize their proposals.
While the US has expressed openness to alternative proposals from Arab governments, Rubio has asserted that "the only plan is the Trump plan."
In a different diplomatic avenue, Rubio will collaborate with US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Russian officials, including Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in Riyadh on Tuesday to discuss the conflict in Ukraine.
Saudi Arabia marks the second destination on Rubio's Middle East tour. He has previously visited Israel and is anticipated to head to the UAE.
