Blinken Heads to Egypt, Jordan on First Middle East Tour

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.