Saudi Gazette report

ABU DHABI — Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks on Monday over the phone about the current situation in the Middle East.

They discussed efforts to bring the current violence in Israel and the West Bank and Gaza to an end and halt the tragic loss of civilian life.

The US secretary of state highlighted the importance of the UAE’s contributions toward promoting a more peaceful Middle East, according to a statement from the US Department of State.

During the phone call, Sheikh Abdullah reaffirmed the width and strength of the strategic partnership between the two friendly nations, aimed at ensuring continued development and prosperity for their peoples and consolidating security and stability in the region and the whole world, the UAE’s state news agency WAM reported.

He underlined the UAE's support for the US efforts, including the bid made by the US Envoy to the Middle East Hady Amr to reach calm, ease tension and stop the acts of violence in both Israel and Palestine.

Sheikh Abdullah added that the achievement of peace is the only way for peoples of the region to have a future full of hope, stability, development and prosperity.

The Abraham Accords Peace Agreement holds hopes for the region's peoples to live in peace and stability in a way that ensures sustainable development, Sheikh Abdullah said, affirming that wars and conflicts lead only to chaos and devastation.

Meanwhile, the US secretary of state spoke on Monday with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell to exchange views on how the United States and the EU can bring a halt to the current violence between Israelis and Palestinians.

Blinken and Borrell agreed on the need for Israelis and Palestinians to be able to live in safety and security, as well as enjoy equal measures of freedom, security, prosperity, and democracy.

The US secretary of the state affirmed the crucial role the US-EU partnership plays in the region, as well as the American commitment to continue consultations, according to a statement from the US Department of State.

The US secretary of state also spoke with Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi.

Blinken discussed US efforts to bring an end to the violence, which has claimed the lives of Israeli and Palestinian civilians, including children. The Secretary also expressed deep concern at the inter-communal violence.

The two discussed the path forward, and Blinken noted that the United States would remain engaged with Israel, the Palestinian Authority, and other regional stakeholders as part of our diplomacy to ease tensions and put an end to the hostilities.