U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio participates in an interview after a meeting with Russian officials at Diriyah Palace in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Feb. 18, 2025. (Credit: Evelyn Hockstein/AFP)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited the United Arab Emirates on Wednesday, marking the final stop of his Middle East tour, a day after meeting with American and Russian representatives in Riyadh.
Arriving in Abu Dhabi from the Saudi capital, the U.S. diplomat was set to meet with President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his Emirati counterpart, Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Rubio's visit to the Emirates comes shortly before a summit scheduled for Friday in Saudi Arabia, bringing together leaders of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, as well as Egypt and Jordan, to address Donald Trump's plan for the Gaza Strip.
Washington, which rejects any future role for Hamas, has called on Arab countries, who are firmly opposed to any relocation of Palestinians from Gaza, to propose alternatives to the U.S. President's plan and is waiting to assess them.
The American President has proposed placing the war-ravaged Gaza Strip under U.S. control and relocating its 2.4 million inhabitants, primarily to neighboring Jordan and Egypt.
In Saudi Arabia on Monday, Rubio met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, emphasizing "the importance of an agreement for Gaza that contributes to regional security," according to a statement.
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