US Secretary Of State Blinken Meets Jordan's King, Discusses Syrian Political Transition

JAKARTA - United States (US) Foreign Minister Antony Blinken met with Jordanian King Abdullah in the city of Aqaba. Blinken held talks about Syria after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad.

Blinken, who will depart for Turkey on Thursday evening, expressed Washington's hopes for a political transition in Syria, saying it would recognize future Syrian rule which is a credible, inclusive, and non-sectarian governing body.

Blinken will discuss US priorities to ensure supplies of Syrian chemical weapons are secured and destroyed, facilitate the flow of humanitarian aid and that the country is not used as a "terrorism base", the US State Department said.

The rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), known by the United States as a terrorist organization, played an important role in Damascus after leading the Assad overthrow, ending a 50-year family dynasty in a takeover of power after 13 years of power.

Blinken, the top diplomat in President Joe Biden's administration, will also meet with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Thursday and will discuss the Israeli conflict in Gaza and Lebanon during his journey.