US President Biden says pushing for ‘lasting, durable peace’ in Middle East

United States President Joe Biden on Sunday (May 19) called for an immediate ceasefire in war-torn Gaza and said that he was making continuous efforts to ensure "lasting, durable peace" in the region that would also include the creation of a Palestinian state.

"This is one of the hardest, most complicated problems in the world. There's nothing easy about it," said Biden while addressing students at a graduation ceremony at the former university of civil rights icon Martin Luther King, Jr.

"I know it angers and frustrates many of you, including my family, but most of all, I know it breaks your heart. It breaks mine as well."

The US president said that he was pushing for an "immediate ceasefire to stop the fighting" and expressed his willingness to bring back all the hostages held captive by Hamas.

He then said that he was working towards achieving "lasting, durable peace" in the wider Middle East that would also eventually lead to an independent Palestinian state, which he termed as the "only solution."

'I support peaceful non-violent protest,' says Biden

The 81-year-old leader further reacting to the Gaza protests that have taken over several universities in the country, said that he would pay attention to "non-violent" demonstrations and further stated that everyone's voices should be heard.

"I support peaceful non-violent protest. Your voices should be heard, and I promise you I hear them," Biden told a graduation ceremony at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, which went ahead without disruption.

Biden's remarks come amid US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's visit to Saudi Arabia and Israel who is pushing for a ceasefire as well as a normalization deal between the two countries.

Sullivan, earlier in the day, held talks with Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the eastern Saudi city of Dhahran.

"The semi-final version of the draft strategic agreements between the Kingdom and the United States of America, which are almost being finalised... were discussed," the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said.

The meeting between the officials also involved talks around "what is being worked on between the two sides on the Palestinian issue to find a credible path towards a two-state solution", along with endeavours to put an end to the ongoing war in Gaza and streamline the distribution of humanitarian aid in the region.

The Biden administration has actively chased the 'mega-deal' where Washington has agreed to give benefits to Saudi Arabia including a defence pact and assistance with a civilian nuclear programme with uranium enrichment capacity in exchange for providing first-ever recognition of Israel.

(With inputs from agencies)