Blinken discusses human rights in ‘candid’ talks with Saudi crown prince
- US Secretary of State’s anticipated visit to Saudi Arabia comes at a time of quickly shifting alliances in the region
- The visit is Blinken’s first since the kingdom restored diplomatic ties with Iran, which the West considers a pariah
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed human rights with Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Tuesday during a trip aimed at boosting ties with the long-time ally, which has forged closer relations with Washington’s rivals.
Blinken’s three-day visit to the oil-rich kingdom will also focus on efforts to end conflicts in Sudan and Yemen, the joint battle against Islamic State (Isis) and the Arab world’s relations with Israel.
His trip comes at a time of quickly shifting alliances in the Middle East, centred around a China-brokered rapprochement in March between regional heavyweights Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Another landmark change saw Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad invited back to the Arab League last month for the first time since the start of the 12-year civil war in which his government has been backed by Russia and Iran.
Biden met Saudi Arabia’s de facto leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman late Tuesday and the two men had “an open, candid discussion that covered the full range of regional and bilateral issues”, a US official said on condition of anonymity.
“The secretary raised human rights both generally and with regards to specific issues.”