Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani discussed with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, in the Saudi capital, ceasefire efforts in the Gaza Strip.

The Foreign Ministry of the State of Qatar said that Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman met with Blinken in the capital, Riyadh, and they discussed efforts to release prisoners and detainees and bring humanitarian aid in a sustainable manner to all areas of the Gaza Strip.

During the meeting, the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister expressed his country's deep concern about developments in the situation in the region, calling on all parties to calm down and exercise the utmost restraint.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman also renewed - according to the Foreign Ministry’s statement - the State of Qatar’s commitment to supporting all regional and international efforts aimed at achieving security and stability at the regional and international levels.

The Qatari statement indicated that the US Secretary of State expressed his country's thanks to Doha for its efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.

In turn, the US State Department said that Blinken discussed with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman, in Riyadh, the ongoing efforts to ensure a ceasefire in Gaza that leads to the release of hostages held by Hamas.

The US State Department added that the minister stressed - during his meeting with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman - the joint commitment to continue increasing and sustaining the provision of humanitarian aid in Gaza.

She also noted that Blinken thanked Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman for the central role played by Qatar in these endeavors, stressing the need for Hamas to accept the proposal on the table.

The American statement indicated that the two sides stressed the strength of bilateral relations between Washington and Doha and their role in enhancing regional security and stability.

On the other hand, the Qatari Foreign Ministry said that Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman met with Jordanian Prime Minister Bisher Hani Al-Khasawneh, and they discussed developments in the situation in the region and ways to reduce the escalation.

The Qatari Foreign Ministry added that Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman expressed - during the meeting - Qatar's deep concern about developments in the situation in the region, and called on all parties to calm down and exercise the utmost restraint, stressing the need for joint action to reduce escalation in the region and resolve differences by peaceful means.

Riyadh meetings

In the same context, an American official told Reuters that the Foreign Minister met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh today.

Blinken met - today - with the foreign ministers of the countries of the region (Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine) on the sidelines of the special meeting of the World Economic Forum held in the Saudi capital.

Another meeting was held in Riyadh today for the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries with their American counterpart, who arrived in Riyadh on the first leg of a broader tour of the Middle East, to discuss the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip.

In the details of the meetings that took place in Riyadh today, the State of Qatar called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza today.

The Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister said - during the opening of the meeting of foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries with their American counterpart - that the failure of the international community to resolve the Palestinian issue is the most prominent challenge to achieving peace.

For his part, the US Secretary of State said - during the World Economic Forum - that the United States had not seen a plan from Israel regarding Rafah that included protection for civilians.

Blinken added that his country cannot support a major military operation in Rafah, in the absence of a plan to protect civilians in Gaza.

During a meeting with the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, the US Secretary thanked Doha for the efforts it is making to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.