US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met his Jordanian counterpart Ayman Safadi in Washington on Wednesday, as the threat of mass starvation in Gaza continues to increase.
The two discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Bank, with Mr Rubio thanking Mr Safadi for "Jordan's leadership in advancing regional security and stability," State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement.
Mr Rubio also stressed the need for dialogue to alleviate the crisis in southern Syria and highlighted the "importance of protecting civilians on all sides."
Syria is reeling from a week of deadly fighting in the Druze heartland of Sweida. What began as clashes between Druze militia and Sunni Bedouin fighters, escalated when Syrian government forces were sent in and when Israeli intervened with strikes. The US brokered a ceasefire between Syria and Israel.
The statement said Mr Rubio and Mr Safadi also met to discuss the "trilateral agreement between the United States, Jordan, and Syria to maintain the ceasefire in Syria."
Mr Safadi is in the midst of a tour of North America. Earlier this week, he met Canada’s Foreign Minister Anita Anand.
Mr Safadi’s trip to Canada was part of a “working visit” to the country by King Abdullah II.
King Abdullah met Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday in Ottawa, the first meeting between the leaders since Mr Carney was elected in March.
They discussed a host of issues, including ways to “enhance the partnership between Jordan and Canada, as well as the latest developments in the region”, Jordan’s State News Agency said.
Canada pledged $28 million to help Jordan bolster its border security, the Canadian Prime Minister’s office said.
“The Prime Minister and His Majesty also discussed the situation in the Middle East, including the imperative of a ceasefire in Gaza, called for urgent, life-saving humanitarian aid to reach civilians, and the imperative for stability in Syria,” the Prime Minister’s office said.
The situation in Gaza appears to be further worsening, with the threat of mass starvation increasing in the densely populated strip.
“A large proportion of the population of Gaza is starving. I don't know what you would call it other than mass starvation – and it's man-made,” said World Health Organisation Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday.
