LONDON: US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf is expected to travel to Israel and the West Bank on Saturday, the State Department announced on Friday.
During her four-day visit, Leaf will “consult with Israeli and Palestinian partners on a range of priorities, including deepening bilateral US cooperation with both Israel and the Palestinian Authority.”
The State Department said that she will also discuss Israeli-Palestinian relations and US support for a two-state solution, as well as deterring Iran’s aggressive regional activities, and support for Israel’s integration into the broader Middle East region.
During the visit, Leaf will meet with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, and representatives of civil societies from both sides.
She will be accompanied by Deputy Assistant Secretary for Israeli and Palestinian Affairs Hady Amr and NSC Director for Israel and Palestinian Affairs Cynthia Cook, the State Department added.
The announcement comes a day after the US upgraded its diplomatic mission to the Palestinians, reversing a Trump administration move ahead of a planned visit by President Joe Biden in July.
On Thursday, Palestinian officials hosted Amr in Ramallah, their seat of government in the occupied West Bank. They had no immediate comment at the end of the meeting.
(With Reuters)
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US State Department official to visit Israel, West Bank on Saturday
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US State Department official to visit Israel, West Bank on Saturday
Turkiye detains suspected Daesh member in follow-up to New Year attack crackdown
ISTANBUL: Turkish authorities on Friday said they had apprehended an additional suspected member of the Daesh group, following the detention of more than 100 suspects earlier this week over alleged plans to carry out attacks during New Year’s celebrations.
State-run Anadolu Agency reported that Ibrahim Burtakucin was captured in a joint operation carried out by police and the National Intelligence Agency in the southeastern city of Malatya.
Security officials told Anadolu that Burtakucin was in contact with numerous Daesh sympathizers in Turkiye and abroad and was seeking an opportunity to join ongoing fighting in conflict zones.
Authorities seized digital materials and banned Daesh publications during a raid on his home.
The arrest comes a day after Istanbul’s prosecutor’s office announced a series of coordinated raids across the country, resulting in the detention of more than 100 suspected members of the extremist group accused of plotting attacks targeting Christmas and New Year celebrations.
State-run Anadolu Agency reported that Ibrahim Burtakucin was captured in a joint operation carried out by police and the National Intelligence Agency in the southeastern city of Malatya.
Security officials told Anadolu that Burtakucin was in contact with numerous Daesh sympathizers in Turkiye and abroad and was seeking an opportunity to join ongoing fighting in conflict zones.
Authorities seized digital materials and banned Daesh publications during a raid on his home.
The arrest comes a day after Istanbul’s prosecutor’s office announced a series of coordinated raids across the country, resulting in the detention of more than 100 suspected members of the extremist group accused of plotting attacks targeting Christmas and New Year celebrations.
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