Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Jordan’s King Abdullah II held talks on Tuesday in an effort to halt Israel’s wars on Gaza and Lebanon, and reduce tensions across the region, the Saudi foreign ministry said.
The pair held discussions “related to the security and stability of the region, including efforts made for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon and reduce escalation,” the ministry said in a statement as the Jordanian ruler visited the Saudi capital Riyadh.
The meeting between the two Arab leaders comes amid a US diplomatic push through the region, as Israel continues bombarding Gaza and Lebanon.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is due in Jordan on Wednesday to discuss humanitarian assistance for Gaza, following Tuesday meetings in Israel aimed at progress towards a potential truce in Gaza.
The royal palace in Jordan said the Saudi and Jordanian leaders emphasised “the need to intensify efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza and Lebanon, and to reduce the escalation in the region”.
Saudi Arabia’s official SPA news agency said the two leaders had also voiced their support for the Palestinian and Lebanese people and “would continue to provide humanitarian aid to alleviate their suffering”.
On Monday, US envoy to Lebanon Amos Hochstein said Washington was seeking an end to the war in Lebanon “as soon as possible” as he pushed for a ceasefire in Beirut.
After over a year of war on Gaza, Israel increased its offensives on Lebanon in September, ramping up strikes on various areas around the country.
One week ago, the Saudi prince travelled to Cairo, where he also discussed measures for de-escalation in Gaza and Lebanon with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
