"이스라엘 네타냐후, 극비 사우디 방문…양국 정상급 첫 회담"?
Reports out of Israel are saying the country's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, recently had a secret meeting with the crown prince of Saudi Arabia.
If it proves to be true, it would mark the first-ever meeting between the leaders of the two countries.... that have been arch-enemies for decades.
Lee Kyung-eun reports.
A number of Israeli media reports say Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to Saudi Arabia.
According to their reports, Netanyahu flew to the city of Neom on Sunday,... for talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
They say Pompeo was also in the city at the same time as part of his tour of the Middle East.
None of the sides were able to explicitly verify the visit.
The U.S. State Department declined to comment to reporters traveling with Pompeo.
A top Israeli government official, on a radio show on Monday,... called the secret meeting an "incredible achievement".
But that was swiftly denied by Saudi's foreign ministry.
On the same day, the Israeli PM also declined to comment.
"Are you serious? Friends, throughout my years I have never commented on such things and I don't intend to start doing so now."
Media are emphasizing Netanyahu's "no denial",.. rather than "no confirmation".
The meeting, if confirmed, would be the first meeting between the top leaders from the two countries and perhaps a step closer to resolving the long-running Israeli-Palestine conflict.
Watchers are pointing to the significance of the timing given the recent normalization deals between Israel and the UAE brokered by the U.S.
And one Israeli expert told CNN that this meeting would help cement Pompeo's legacy in the Middle East for a possible come-back to the White House in 2024.
More importantly, this could bring the three sides together for a further joint effort.
To reach a nuclear agreement with Iran,.. before the Biden administration takes office.
Lee Kyung-eun, Arirang News.
