US secretary of state to visit Germany, Middle East

KABUL (Pajhwok): US Secretary of State Marco Rubio wants to visit Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference before travelling to the Middle East.

In a statement, the State Department said Rubio was set to visit Germany to attend the Munich Security Conference and G7 foreign ministers’ summit.

He would also visit Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from February 15 to 18, the statement added.

He will discuss with senior officials from Middle Eastern and Arab countries the release of prisoners, including Americans, by Hamas, the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal and "countering threats from Iran and its allies."

aw/mud