Blinken sees path to Gaza peace after Mideast tour

Cairo: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrapped up his latest urgent Mideast tour on Thursday in talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi as American officials claimed modest success in getting wide regional support for planning for reconstruction and governance in Gaza after Israel’s war with Hamas ends.

Blinken secured buy-in from previously reluctant Arab and Muslim nations to begin such planning in discussions with the leaders of Turkey, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain over the weeklong mission, his fourth to the Middle East since the war began in October.

Each country along with Greece although precise contributions have yet to be determined. “On our previous trips here, I think there was a reluctance to talk about some of the day-after

issues in terms of long-term stability and security on a regional basis,” Blinken told reporters at Cairo’s airport after his meeting

with el-Sissi.