Kerry talks to Qatari FM ahead of Mideast trip

Qatari Foreign Minister Dr. Khaled Al-Attiyah received on Saturday a phone call from US Secretary of State John Kerry, during which they discussed bilateral relations and the latest developments in the Middle East. The US Department of State announced two days ago that Kerry will travel to Riyadh, Warsaw, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Amman, Abu Dhabi, Algiers, and Rabat on November 3-12 to discuss a wide range of bilateral and regional issues. In Jerusalem and Bethlehem, he will meet with senior Israeli and Palestinian officials to discuss the ongoing final status negotiations as well as other regional issues of mutual concern. He will also discuss issues related to Iran with Israeli officials. In Amman, Secretary Kerry will meet with senior Jordanian officials to discuss a wide range of bilateral and regional issues, as part of our continued close coordination on key issues. In Abu Dhabi, he will meet with senior Emirati officials to continue our close coordination on bilateral and regional issues of mutual interest. This visit will provide the leaders the opportunity to discuss the important role the UAE plays in promoting stability and prosperity in the Middle East. In Algiers, Kerry will meet with senior Algerian officials and co-chair the US-Algeria Strategic Dialogue with Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtane Lamamra. In Rabat, Kerry will co-chair the US-Morocco Strategic Dialogue with Moroccan Foreign Minister Salaheddine Mezouar and will meet with senior Moroccan officials to discuss a range of bilateral and regional issues.