CAIRO – Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan held a crucial meeting in Dhahran to address the ongoing conflict in Gaza and to progress a significant bilateral agreement between Saudi Arabia and the United States, according to the Saudi state news agency on Sunday.
The discussion included a review of the “semi-final version of the draft strategic agreements between the two countries,” which are nearing completion, the agency reported. These agreements are expected to solidify the bilateral relations and strategic cooperation between the two nations.
In addition to the bilateral agreements, the Crown Prince and Sullivan emphasized the urgent need for a “credible track for bringing about the two-state solution” for Israel and the Palestinians. They also discussed measures to halt the war in Gaza and to facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid to the affected areas.
The Biden administration and Saudi Arabia have been negotiating an agreement that includes U.S. security guarantees and civilian nuclear assistance. This effort continues even as a broader Middle East “grand bargain,” which would include normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, remains out of reach.
On Friday, the White House confirmed Sullivan’s visit to Saudi Arabia and Israel, aimed at discussing bilateral and regional issues, including the Gaza conflict and efforts to achieve lasting peace and security in the region. This meeting underscores the ongoing diplomatic efforts by both nations to address complex geopolitical issues and strengthen their strategic partnership amidst regional tensions.