Pompeo To Travel To Beirut, Jerusalem, Kuwait City Next Week - State Department

Umer Jamshaid Published March 15, 2019 | 07:58 PM

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel to Lebanon, Israel and Kuwait next week for discussions on a range ofissues , including talks with Israeli, Cypriot and Greek leaders on energy and security issues in the Mediterranean region, the State Department said in a press release on Friday

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 15th March, 2019) US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel to Lebanon, Israel and Kuwait next week for discussions on a range ofissues , including talks with Israeli, Cypriot and Greek leaders on energy and security issues in the Mediterranean region, the State Department said in a press release on Friday.

"Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo will travel to Beirut, Jerusalem, and Kuwait City March 19-23," the release said. "While in Jerusalem, the Secretary will also participate in a meeting with Israeli, Cypriot, and Greek leaders to discuss key energy and security issues facing the Eastern Mediterranean region."

The Eastern Mediterranean has become one of the world's hottest offshore drilling zones, with a string of major natural gas discoveries in recent years. But ongoing maritime border disputes - including between Lebanon and Israel, and between Turkey and Cyprus - have hampered efforts to develop the resources.

While in Israel, Pompeo will also meet Israeli officials to reaffirm the US commitment to Israel's security and Trump administration efforts to combat anti-Semitism, the release said.

In Kuwait City, the Secretary will lead the US delegation at the third US-Kuwait Strategic Dialogue, which will focus on areas of growing bilateral cooperation, including defense, counterterrorism and cybersecurity, as well as trade and investment ties, according to the release.

In Beirut, the Pompeo's visit will focus on political, security, economic, and humanitarian challenges facing Lebanon, the release said. Pompeo will also emphasis US support for Lebanon's "legitimate state institutions," the release said.