AQABA, Jordan (AP) — Top U.S. officials were in the Middle East on Thursday, pushing for stability in Syria and an end to Israel's 14-month war in the Gaza Strip in a last-ditch diplomatic push by the outgoing Biden administration before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in a few weeks.
Associated PressUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, shakes hands with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during their meeting at Ankara Esenboga Airport on December 12, 2024. AQABA, Jordan — Top U.S. officials were in the Middle East on Thursday, pushing for stability in Syria and an end to Israel's 14-month war in the Gaza Strip in a last-ditch diplomatic push by the outgoing Biden administration before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in a few weeks.
"I wouldn't be here now if I didn't think this thing was just waiting until after January 20," he said of when Trump will be inaugurated. The U.S. has backed Israel with key military and diplomatic support. But at times, it also has appeared helpless in urging Israel to minimize civilian casualties and to enable the delivery of more humanitarian aid into Gaza.He said Israel's ceasefire with Hezbollah last month, ending more than a year of fighting, the collapse of Syria's government and the heavy blow Israel has inflicted on Hamas have all changed the negotiating climate.
Sullivan is now scheduled to head to Qatar and Egypt, which have served as mediators throughout the war. He said the U.S. was working with its regional partners to help Syria"transition away from Assad's brutal dictatorship" and toward a new government that isn't dominated by any single religious or ethnic group, by an outside power or the Islamic State militant group.
Blinken started his trip in Jordan, a close U.S. ally whose fragile economy has been strained over the years by an influx of hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees. He then went to Turkey — a backer of Sunni rebels but a foe of the Kurds.
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Israel, Palestinians explore Gaza truce with US envoy on Mideast shuttle missionIsrael Defense Minister Israel Katz tells US counterpart Lloyd Austin in a phone call on December 11 that there was now a chance for a new deal that would allow the return of all the hostages, including US citizens
Read more »
UK leader Starmer heads to Gulf to talk trade, MideastBritain's leader Keir Starmer makes his first trip to the Gulf as prime minister from Sunday, seeking to attract investment from the region's oil-rich
Read more »
With Assad out, MidEast battle lines drawnMOSCOW—The Kremlin declined yesterday to confirm reports that toppled Syrian president Bashar al-Assad had fled to Moscow, adding that it was “surprised”
Read more »
Jordan Clarkson, Jazz pin 4th straight loss on MavsJazz guard Jordan Clarkson dishes a bullet pass to set up John Collins' game-winner, spoiling Mavericks star Luka Doncic’s near triple-double effort
Read more »
Jordan Brand welcomes Class of 2028 to Wings Scholars Program PHTHREE more high school students have joined the global community of Jordan Wings scholars who will achieve their dreams of excelling in life by pursuing
Read more »
Jordan Heading says ‘sky’s the limit’ for Converge after PBA debutJordan Heading finally makes his PBA debut three years since he got drafted as he helps Converge get off to a roaring start in the Commissioner's Cup
Read more »