Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken recently held a crucial meeting in Riyadh with several Arab Foreign Ministers and other key figures to address pressing issues in the Middle East. The meeting, which took place on Apr 29, 2024, centered on critical matters concerning the region, particularly focusing on the situation in Gaza.

According to Spokesperson Matthew Miller, discussions during the meeting revolved around the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in Gaza. "They discussed the importance of a sustained increase in humanitarian assistance to address the dire situation in Gaza," stated Spokesperson Miller.

In addition to humanitarian aid, Secretary Blinken reiterated the United States' commitment to achieving lasting peace in the region. "The Secretary reaffirmed the United States’ support for efforts to achieve lasting peace in the region, including through a pathway to a Palestinian state with security assurances for Israel," as highlighted by Spokesperson Miller.

Furthermore, Secretary Blinken emphasized the necessity for immediate actions to de-escalate the conflict in Gaza. "Secretary Blinken emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the remaining hostages held by Hamas," noted Spokesperson Miller.

Lastly, the importance of regional cooperation and coordination to prevent the conflict from spreading was underscored during the meeting. "The Secretary also underscored the importance of regional coordination to prevent the conflict from spreading," added Spokesperson Miller.

The discussions and messages conveyed during the meeting between Secretary Blinken and the Arab Foreign Ministers reflect a unified call for urgent action and collaboration to address the critical humanitarian and security challenges in the region.