Secretary of State Rubio departs for conference in Munich
A plane carrying Secretary of State Marco Rubio was diverted back to Joint Base Andrews on Thursday night due to a mechanical issue.
Rubio was on his way to Munich, Germany from Washington, D.C. on Thursday night when the plane experienced a mechanical issue, according to spokesperson Tammy Bruce.
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![State Marco Rubio boards a plane to Munich](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/02/1200/675/2025-02-13t235742z_1826853506_rc2ytcarl1rh_rtrmadp_3_security-munich-rubio.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio boards a plane as he departs Joint Base Andrews for the Munich Security Conference, in Maryland, U.S., February 13, 2025. (REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool)
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The plane has since turned around and was returning to Joint Base Andrews.
Bruce said Rubio intends to continue his travel to Germany and the Middle East on a different aircraft.
![State Marco Rubio boards a plane to Munich](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2025/02/1200/675/2025-02-13t235453z_1782970648_rc2ytcatx2j3_rtrmadp_3_security-munich-rubio.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio prepares to depart Joint Base Andrews for the Munich Security Conference, in Maryland, U.S., February 13, 2025. (REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein/Pool)
Rubio is expected to travel to the Middle East for a few days, visiting Israel, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, after attending the Munich Security Conference in Germany.
His impending visit to the Middle East comes at a pivotal time in foreign policy, as Israel and Hamas are implementing a three-stage ceasefire agreement after 16 months of war in Gaza.