Germany begins Middle East talks where US efforts failed

Admin I Friday, Sept. 06, 2024

 

SAUDI ARABIA – German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived in the Middle East on Thursday for two days of crisis talks in Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel as regional tensions continue to boil due to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

She began her trip in Saudi Arabia, just as similar efforts by the United States through Secretary of State, Antony Blinken failed.

Baerbock is holding a meeting in Riyadh with Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan.

Baerbock’s ministry said attacks on international shipping by Iran-aligned Houthi militants in Yemen was high on the discussion agenda.

The top German diplomat is to travel on to Jordan later Thursday and meet with Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi.

The Amman talks will centre on humanitarian efforts in Gaza, as Jordan is a key partner for countries and relief agencies working to get aid into the besieged Palestinian territory.

Baerbock then moves on to Israel for meetings on Friday. This will be her ninth trip there since the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas.

She has been to the region a total of 11 times since then.

The United States, Egypt and Qatar are trying to end a months-long impasse to secure a ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas.

The discovery of six Israeli hostages recently murdered in the Gaza Strip and the threat of retaliation by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has put additional strain on the mediation efforts.