Blinken Heads to Egypt, Jordan on First Middle East Tour
Voice of America
A day after expressing support for Israel’s security and announcing reconstruction aid for Gaza, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken travels Wednesday to Egypt, which was heavily involved in achieving a cease-fire in last week’s conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza.
Blinken began Wednesday by meeting with Israeli President Reuben Rivlin, closing the first leg of his first trip to the Middle East since becoming the top U.S. diplomat. In Cairo, Blinken is meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry before traveling on to Jordan to close the day. “As you know, Egypt played a critical role in helping to broker the cease-fire, and Jordan has long been a voice for peace and stability in the region,” Blinken told reporters Tuesday.South African President and President of the African National Congress (ANC) Cyril Ramaphosa delivers his remarks in the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) National Results Center at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, on June 2, 2024. Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) supporters stand outside the Alexandra Library polling station in Alexandra, near Johannesburg, on May 29, 2024. Leader of the Democratic Alliance (DA), South African main opposition party, John Steenhuisen, center, speaks with the media at the Independent Electoral Commission National Results Center in Midrand, May 31, 2024. uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party leader and South Africa's former president Jacob Zuma addresses his supporters outside the Johannesburg High Court in Johannesburg, June 3, 2024. Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema, right, reacts as he arrives for a press conference at the Independent Electoral Commission National Results Center at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, South Africa, June 1, 2024.