U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is due to visit Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Israel and the Palestinian territories from July 30 to August 2, the State Department announced Tuesday.
"During her stops in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, she will be accompanied by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. The two will meet with their counterparts to discuss the ways in which Iraq's neighbors can help advance the cause of security and stability in that country," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said.
"While in Sharm el-Sheikh, Secretary Rice will meet with the Foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Egypt and Jordan, to consult on regional issues," he said.
After visit to Egypt, Rice will visit Jerusalem and Ramallah with meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials.
As she is engaged in the Mideast tour, Rice will not be able to attend an U.S.-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) forum on August 1 and 2 in Manila.
Instead, the spokesman said, Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte will lead the American delegation to the ASEAN regional forum meetings and the Asean post-ministerial conference.
"After the ASEAN meetings, the deputy Secretary will travel to Tokyo, August 2 to 4 for discussions with the Japanese government on bilateral issues," the spokesman added.
Source: Xinhua
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