Blinken holds calls in final Middle East diplomacy

9/11/2024 6:17

        The outgoing Biden
        administration pressed ahead on Friday with diplomacy aimed at
        reaching deals to end Israel's conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon,
        with Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaking to counterparts
        in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
        
        U.S. officials have said they will make a final push to
        reach deals on the conflicts, although it is unclear how much
        leverage they have over Israel and other actors in the region
        now focused on the incoming administration of former President
        Donald Trump.
        
        Blinken in his calls on Friday affirmed the administration's
        continued desire to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza as soon as
        possible and a diplomatic resolution to the Israel-Hezbollah
        conflict in Lebanon, as well as discussing the conflict in
        Sudan, spokesperson Matthew Miller said.
        
        In his call with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin
        Farhan bin Abdullah, Blinken discussed "efforts to secure the
        release of hostages and establish a path forward that allows
        Palestinians in Gaza to rebuild their lives and advance
        governance, security and reconstruction," Miller said.
        
        With the UAE's Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Blinken
        "discussed efforts to achieve a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon
        that allows civilians on both sides of the Blue Line to return
        to their homes," Miller said.
        
        On Thursday Blinken also spoke to French Foreign Minister
        Jean-Noel Barrot about both efforts.