"이스라엘 네타냐후, 극비 사우디 방문…양국 정상급 첫 회담"?<br /><br />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.<br />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.<br />Lee Kyung-eun reports.<br />A number of Israeli media reports say Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a secret visit to Saudi Arabia.<br />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.<br />They say Pompeo was also in the city at the same time as part of his tour of the Middle East.<br />None of the sides were able to explicitly verify the visit.<br />The U.S. State Department declined to comment to reporters traveling with Pompeo.<br />A top Israeli government official, on a radio show on Monday,... called the secret meeting an "incredible achievement".<br />But that was swiftly denied by Saudi's foreign ministry.<br />On the same day, the Israeli PM also declined to comment.<br />"Are you serious? Friends, throughout my years I have never commented on such things and I don't intend to start doing so now."<br />Media are emphasizing Netanyahu's "no denial",.. rather than "no confirmation".<br />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.<br />Watchers are pointing to the significance of the timing given the recent normalization deals between Israel and the UAE brokered by the U.S.<br />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.<br />More importantly, this could bring the three sides together for a further joint effort.<br />To reach a nuclear agreement with Iran,.. before the Biden administration takes office.<br />Lee Kyung-eun, Arirang News.<br />
