U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday landed in Cairo for his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi as the United States works to advance a Gaza truce and hostage deal mediated by the Egyptians and Qataris.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is welcomed by Sarah Henry, Second Secretary at the Protocol Department of Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs protocol, upon his arrival at Cairo Airport, in Cairo, February 6, 2024. Mark Schiefelbein/Pool via Reuters
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday landed in Cairo for his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi as the United States works to advance a Gaza truce and hostage deal mediated by the Egyptians and Qataris.
The top U.S. diplomat departed Riyadh shortly after sunrise for what is set to be a marathon day visiting Egypt and Qatar before flying to Israel to discuss hostage negotiations, post-war Gaza plans and the prospect of Arab countries and Israel normalizing ties.
Blinken's fifth trip to the region since October comes as the United States presses ahead with its retaliatory campaign against Iran-aligned militia which had attacked last month and killed U.S. troops in a military outpost in Jordan.
Washington sees a possible truce to free remaining hostages Hamas kidnapped on Oct. 7 and pause fighting in Gaza as key to progress on other challenges, such as the governance of post-war Gaza, a path towards Palestinian statehood and a deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia to normalize their relationship.
Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk
The European Parliament has approved two major financial assistance packages aimed at supporting Egypt and Jordan, endorsing loans worth €4 billion and €500 million respectively.
In celebration of Eid al-Fitr and the upcoming Sinai Liberation Day, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has issued presidential decree granting a pardon to 2,777 prisoners, the Ministry of Interior announced on Tuesday.
Israel has proposed an extended truce in Gaza in exchange for the return of about half the remaining hostages, Israeli officials said on Monday, as the military issued new evacuation orders and said "intense operations" were planned in the south of the enclave.
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