US State Secy Blinken to visit Saudi Arabia on April 29, to discuss efforts for ceasefire in Gaza

Washington, DC [US], April 28 (ANI): US State Secretary Antony Blinken is set to embark on his visit to Saudi Arabia on April 29 to meet with regional partners.
Blinken, on his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, will discuss ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza that secures the release of hostages and "how it is Hamas that is standing between the Palestinian people and a ceasefire," the US State Department said in a release.
Moreover, the State Secretary will also discuss the recent increase in humanitarian assistance being delivered to Gaza and note the importance of ensuring that increase is sustained.
During the visit, the Secretary will emphasise the importance of preventing the conflict from spreading and discuss ongoing efforts to achieve lasting peace and security in the region, including through a pathway to an independent Palestinian state with security guarantees for Israel.
Further, the Secretary will participate in a ministerial meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council to advance coordination on regional security, the release read.
At the World Economic Forum's special meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth, and Energy for Development, Blinken will coordinate with the partners to ensure continued progress on climate change mitigation and the global energy transition.
At the two-day Special Meeting, Riyadh will convene more than 1,000 global leaders, including heads of state, government, and thought leaders from across the public and private sectors, as well as international organisations, academic institutions, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), to address today's most pressing global development challenges.
Last week, after months of delay, the Senate successfully passed a USD 95 billion package aimed at providing aid to Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, CNN reported. (ANI)