WASHINGTON — US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held talks on Friday with Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Al-Busaidi over the telephone, the US Department of State said in a press statement. They discussed efforts to reduce risks of further conflict between Israel, Hamas, and other parties in Gaza. According to the statement, "Secretary Blinken also affirmed the United States' commitment to a two-state solution and underscored that Palestinians and Israelis equally deserve to live in safety and security and with dignity." The US secretary of state and the Omani foreign minister "noted the importance of an immediate, comprehensive ceasefire to help bring the war in Yemen and the humanitarian suffering of the Yemeni people to an end," the statement added. The talks between Blinken and Al-Busaidi took place after the US special envoy to Yemen back returned to Washington after his recent visit to the Middle East, including Oman. Earlier in the day, the US special envoy to Yemen blamed the Houthi militia for prolonging the Yemeni conflict. "The Houthis bear major responsibility for refusing to engage meaningfully on a ceasefire and to take steps to resolve a nearly seven-year conflict that has brought unimaginable suffering to the Yemeni people." "Instead, the Houthis continue a devastating offensive on Marib that is condemned by the international community and leaves the Houthis increasingly isolated," he added. Apart from Oman, Lenderking also traveled to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan as part of his efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the Yemeni crisis.
