LOC21:30
18:30 GMT
WASHINGTON, Sept 13 (KUNA) -- US Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia today where he will be holding talks on Wednesday with King Abdullah and other senior Saudi officials, it was announced here Tuesday.
State Department Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters that this is Burns' first trip to the Middle East as deputy secretary of state.
She indicated that Burns will meet this evening with Assistant Minister of Interior Prince Mohammad bin Nayef, and he would meet tomorrow with King Abdullah and other senior Saudi officials.
She added that later this week, Burns will travel to the UAE, where he will meet with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Zayed.
"In Saudi Arabia, the deputy will reaffirm to Saudi leaders the United States' firm and enduring commitment to Gulf security, including our commitment to countering the threat of Iran's nuclear program and Iran's destabilizing activities in the region," she affirmed.
She noted that Burns will "also reaffirm the US' and Saudi Arabia's shared interest in ensuring security and stability across the Middle East, and exchange views on a range of issues, including peaceful transfer of power in Yemen, the need for political and economic support for the transition under way in Egypt and concern about the (Bashar) Assad regime's unabated violence against the Syrian people." "I think the deputy will obviously be conveying the views of the United States government with regard to where we need to go on Israeli and Palestinian negotiations and we'll be asking for the Saudis' help in ensuring that we can get these parties back to the table," Nuland remarked.
"During his consultations in Abu Dhabi later in the week, he will cover many of the same issues," she indicated.
She affirmed that the US and the UAE have "a strong and expanding partnership and his visit will reinforce that." (end) si.bs KUNA 132130 Sep 11NNNN