Kerry heads to Jordan and Saudi Arabia

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, speaks with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah before their meeting in Rawdat Khurayim, a secluded royal hunting retreat in Saudi Arabia
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, speaks with Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah before their meeting in Rawdat Khurayim, a secluded royal hunting retreat in Saudi Arabia

JERUSALEM, Jan 5: Secretary of State John Kerry is heading to Jordan and Saudi Arabia to discuss his effort to broker peace between Israel and the Palestinians, yet his conversations with the US allies will undoubtedly turn to other Mideast trouble spots.

Kerry leaves Jerusalem after three days of lengthy meetings with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

America’s top diplomat is trying to nudge the two closer to signing an accord, setting up a Palestinian state alongside Israel. Kerry said yesterday that progress is being made, yet key hurdles are to be overcome.

Kerry’s talks today with Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah are likely to touch on the war in Syria, rising violence in Iraq, and Iran’s nuclear program. (AGENCIES)