<p style="text-align:start;" class="paragraph-paragraph-2bgue"><span style="color:#313132">Riyadh, however, pressed for a settlement of the conflict as it aims to alleviate US criticism. President-elect Joe Biden, meanwhile, vowed to take a tougher stand than his predecessor on the Islamic state.</span></p><p class="paragraph-paragraph-2bgue"><span style="color:#313132">Bahrain said in a statement the virtual meeting of foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) would prepare the ground for the 41st session of the GCC Summit, which will be held on January 5.</span></p>
