UAE Foreign Minister Discusses Developments in Lebanon, Sudan, and Syria with Blinken

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a meeting with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed in Glasgow on the sidelines of the climate summit, where they discussed developments in Lebanon, Syria, and Sudan. According to a statement from U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price, Blinken reaffirmed strong U.S. support for the Sudanese people's aspirations for democracy. The U.S. Secretary emphasized the need for an immediate return to civilian-led transitional government in Sudan. The two ministers also discussed other important bilateral and regional issues. Price noted that the United States is concerned about ensuring well-balanced energy markets and has called on major energy producers like the UAE to increase production to restore energy markets and economic conditions to normal following the COVID-19 pandemic. Blinken expressed gratitude to his UAE counterpart for his country’s generous support in hosting and facilitating the safe passage of U.S. citizens, embassy staff, and foreigners from Afghanistan. He also praised the progress made by the UAE in the historic opening up to Israel last year.