US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to meet with his Jordanian and Emirati counterparts, as well as Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister during his visit to London on Friday. The discussions with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan are expected to center around plans for stability, security, and reconstruction in Gaza post the recent conflict.
Blinken's meeting with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati will likely address the Israeli military campaign against Hezbollah, which has had a significant impact on the civilian population in Lebanon, particularly in Beirut.
Throughout his trip to the Middle East, Blinken has emphasized the importance of avoiding a prolonged conflict in Lebanon as a result of Israel's actions against Hezbollah. He has urged Israel to take measures to protect civilians, the Lebanese military, and UN peacekeepers.
The US Secretary of State's visit to the United Kingdom marks the final leg of his trip, which also included stops in Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. One of the main objectives of the trip has been to advance efforts to secure the release of hostages and achieve a ceasefire in Gaza following the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Progress has been made in this regard, with Blinken and his Qatari counterpart announcing that negotiations will resume over the weekend. However, there is a cautious outlook regarding the possibility of a breakthrough before the upcoming US election.
