Foreign Minister Rubio Discusses Gaza Reconstruction When Meeting Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Ahead Of US-Ukraine Talks

US Foreign Minister Rubio met Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince MBS (Source: SPA)

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Marco Rubio discussed the problem of reconstructing the Gaza Strip, Palestine, when he met Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) Al Saud, in addition to discussing other matters on Monday, ahead of the meeting between the United States and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia.

The Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia received Foreign Minister Rubio at his office at the Al-Salam Palace, Jeddah, quoted from the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) March 11.

On the occasion, the two discussed various aspects of Saudi Arabia's relations with the US, opportunities to consolidate and develop relations in various fields.

In addition, the two of them also discussed the latest developments in regional and international situations, exchanging views and efforts aimed at achieving security and stability.

The US State Department said in a statement that the two were also discussing the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, Palestine, quoted from The Times of Israel.

Foreign Minister Rubio thanked Saudi Arabian leaders for "serving Arab countries," the State Department said in a clear reference to a summit organized by Riyadh for Arab leaders last month to prepare for another conference held in Cairo, Egypt last week, in which Egypt unveiled its plans for postwar Gaza management.

United States President Donald Trump's administration called the plan a good start, while indicating the plan was not enough to discuss the role of Hamas, which Washington wants to eliminate.

Foreign Minister Rubio "reaffirmed the United States' firm commitment that any solution to the situation in Gaza should not include any role for Hamas," the US statement added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Monday. The plan, the United States and Ukraine will hold a meeting on Tuesday, discussing plans to end the Russia-Ukraine war.