King of Bahrain meets Blinken, emphasizes need for cease-fire in Gaza

By Ibrahim Khazin

ISTANBUL (AA) - Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa told US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday about the need to reach a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip during a meeting in Manama, according to the Bahrain News Agency.

Al Khalifa welcomed Blinken to the Safriya Palace in the capital as part of Blinken’s tour of several countries in the region.

The two men reviewed the path to developing and enhancing bilateral relations, means of strengthening frameworks for cooperation and joint action across various fields.

They also discussed "regional and global developments, in addition to the situation in the Middle East region, including the Gaza Strip,” said the Bahrain News Agency.​​​​​​​

The king emphasized the “need to reach a ceasefire, protect civilians, release hostages and detainees, as well as ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to the residents of the Gaza Strip, in accordance with International Humanitarian Law, and prevent their displacement,” it said.

The agency quoted Blinken as confirming US “support for taking concrete measures to establish a Palestinian State, stressing his rejection of forced displacement of the Palestinians, whether in Gaza or the West Bank.”

CNN reported earlier that Blinken would make a "surprise" visit to Manama, which was not originally part of his Middle East trip.

Blinken arrived Monday in Israel for a fourth visit since the start of the war against Gaza, as part of the regional tour that began in Turkey and Greece. It also includes stops in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Blinked is expected to visit Egypt later Wednesday.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala