US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed with his Emirati counterpart Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan the Libyan conflict and confronting Iran's influence in the region, during a short visit to the UAE today, Wednesday, following an agreement brokered by the United States this month under which the UAE became the third Arab country to agree to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel.
Pompeo - who this week also visited Israel, Sudan and Bahrain - said in a tweet after arriving in the UAE that he was seeking to build on the momentum of the deal for regional peace.
The US State Department said Pompeo spoke with his Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, about supporting "non-escalation and reaching a permanent ceasefire in Libya, the unity of the Gulf, and countering Iran's malign influence in the region."
The United States, the UAE and Israel consider Iran the main threat in the Middle East, although the UAE has said that establishing diplomatic relations with Israel is not directed at Tehran.
Senior Emirati and Israeli officials pledged to cooperate in the defense field this week, but this came at a time when Israel opposes the possibility that the agreement would allow the Gulf state to obtain advanced weapons that were previously prohibited, such as the F-35 fighter jets.
A senior US State Department official said today, Wednesday, that talks between Israel and the UAE are continuing, and there is no backing down.
The Emirates News Agency quoted US State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus as saying that there are "very positive" talks between the United States, Israel and the UAE regarding the sale of F-35 fighters to the Gulf country.
The UAE, Russia and Egypt support the forces of retired Major General Khalifa Haftar, who are fighting the internationally recognized government for control of the country.
The US State Department said that the Emirati National Security Adviser Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan also attended the meeting in Abu Dhabi.
Relations between Bahrain and Israel
On the other hand, a senior official in the US State Department said during Secretary Mike Pompeo's visit to Manama today, Wednesday, that the United States will help normalize relations between Bahrain and Israel if the need arises.
Pompeo's tour in the Middle East comes after the announcement on August 13 of an agreement brokered by the United States to normalize relations between the UAE and Israel.
"If we can help facilitate normalization with Bahrain, we are ready," the official said.
Upon his arrival in Bahrain, Pompeo said it was necessary to capitalize on the momentum of the Emirati-Israeli deal.
Bahrain welcomed the agreement between the UAE and Israel shortly after it was announced, and said it enhances the chances for peace.
The Bahrain News Agency reported that Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa said that he welcomed the efforts made by the United States in reaching an agreement between the UAE and Israel, noting "the importance of intensifying and redoubling efforts to reach a just solution and considering peace as a strategic option to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict."