(CNN) — The Pentagon announced, on Tuesday, that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will travel to the Middle East this weekend, without announcing which countries Austin will visit.
“The visit will provide the Secretary with the opportunity to meet with leaders in several key partner countries, reaffirm the United States’ enduring commitment to the Middle East region, and the opportunity to visit and talk to the 30,000 American military personnel in the region,” State Department spokesman Pat Ryder said at a press conference.
He added, “This visit was previously planned and would take several days, and we will have additional details to provide in the coming days regarding the destinations of the visit.”
The spokesman stressed that the United States “will continue to work closely with its allies and partners to enhance regional security and stability and deter potential threats.”
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