Senior U.S. envoy visits Yemen, Iraq and Jordan

Source: Xinhua, 05/10/2010
WASHINGTON-U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs William Burns will travel to Yemen, Iraq and Jordan on Oct. 4-8 to enhance regional security, the State Department said on Monday.

In Yemen, Burns "will consult with government officials and political party leaders on ways to enhance regional security and promote development," the department said in a press release.

Yemen has recently come under increasing pressure from the international community, which asked the poor Arabian country to solve its internal conflicts and focus on fighting terrorist groups after the Yemen-based al-Qaida wing claimed credit for a failed attempt to blow up a U.S. passenger plane bound for Detroit last year.

In Iraq, Burns will "reaffirm U.S. support for formation of an inclusive and representative government, as well as review progress on the transition to a civilian-led partnership with Iraq, " the department said.

The formation of a government is still in limbo in Iraq seven months after the March 7 elections.

In Jordan, Burns will discuss "a range of regional and bilateral issues, including Middle East peace, with Jordan's King Abdullah," the department said.

King Abdullah joined early September in Washington the restart of direct negotiations between Israeli and Palestinian leaders. The Israelis and Palestinians are now wrangling over Jewish settlement building in the West Bank, plunging the direct talks into stalemate.