US-Saudi talks amid reports of far-reaching diplomatic plan for Middle East

But Jeddah's demands for brokering an Israeli-Palestinian respite are reportedly a non-starter' and a sucker's bet'

The US national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, has held talks with the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, in Jeddah, in what was reported to be part of a bid for an ambitious and far-reaching diplomatic breakthrough in the region.

The White House said Sullivan and the prince discussed on Thursday initiatives to advance a common vision for a more peaceful, secure, prosperous and stable Middle East region interconnected with the world".