Jordan king calls for unified Arab stand to serve peace

His Majesty King Abdullah and US Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday reviewed the efforts exerted in a bid to achieve peace in the Middle East region. The two sides also discussed the latest developments of the crisis in Syria, according to a statement from the Royal Court. During a meeting that was attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, the King was briefed by Kerry on the details of the US-led efforts to revive peace negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis. King Abdullah noted that the sole means to achieve peace and foster security and stability in the region is through the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state on Palestinian national soil, which lives in peace and harmony, side by side with Israel. The King also cautioned that Israel’s unilateral measures and its re-current acts of aggression on Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem undermine chances to achieve peace. While discussing the developments of the crisis in Syria, the King said that putting an end to the suffering of the Syrian people and safeguarding the unity of Syria and its territorial integrity mandates intensive international efforts so as to arrive at a comprehensive solution. Moreover, King Abdullah urged the international community to further support the Kingdom to enable it to handle the increasing burdens that are weighing heavily on the country’s limited resources due to the large number of Syrian refugees in the country. During the talks, Kerry expressed his gratitude for Amman’s ongoing efforts to host over a half-million Syrian refugees, pledging Washington’s ongoing support to lessen the economic and security burdens posed by the widening humanitarian crisis. “We, the United States and the global community are very grateful to Jordan, to King Abdullah and to all the citizens of the Hashemite Kingdom… for having the hearts and the willingness to open your arms to so many refugees,” Kerry said later at a press conference. “We understand this puts a strain on your society — it adds an impact on workers, wages, housing, water… so we all have an obligation to try to help and meet your needs and we will try to live up to that obligation.” Also on Wednesday, His Majesty met with Arab League Secretary General Nabil El Araby and discussed the latest developments in the Arab region, regarding the crisis in Syria and the Middle East peace process, in particular, according to a Royal Court statement. The King stressed the importance of maintaining coordination among Arab countries and activating cooperation and increasing consultation among them. King Abdullah stressed the Kingdom’s position in support of a political comprehensive solution for the crisis in Syria that would stop the bloodshed there and put an end to the suffering of the Syrian people. They discussed the efforts led by Kerry to bring the views of the Palestinians and the Israelis closer in order to revive the peace process and arrive at real negotiations that would deal with all final status issues. The Arab League secretary general commended the Kingdom’s efforts, led by the Monarch, to serve the Arab nation and its causes. He briefed the King on the Arab League’s efforts to bolster Arab unity and formulate a unified position vis-à-vis the repercussions of the crisis in Syria and other challenges facing Arab people. Also on Wednesday, the Monarch met with Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid Bin Mohammad Al Attiyah, who conveyed greetings from Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani to his Majesty. The Monarch stressed the Kingdom’s commitment to develop and strengthen cooperation between Jordan and Qatar, voicing confidence that Qatar will continue with its drive towards development and modernisation under the leadership of Sheikh Tamim. Qatar’s top diplomat stressed the solid Jordanian-Qatari relations, stressing his country’s keenness on developing them further. He also stressed Qatar’s keenness on maintaining coordination and consultation with the Kingdom vis-à-vis the various regional developments. Talks addressed the overall regional developments, mainly the conditions in Syria, Middle East peace efforts as well as several issues of joint concern. Also on Wednesday, King Abdullah and Sheikh Tamim discussed over the phone prospects for further cooperation and the latest developments in the Middle East, according to a Royal Court statement. Araby and Attiyah are currently visiting the Kingdom as part of the Arab delegation entrusted with following up on the Arab Peace Initiative who met with Kerry on Wednesday. Source: The Jordan Times