Jordan king receives US congress, senate delegations

King Abdullah II reviewed on Monday with a delegation from the U.S. Congress and Senate the latest developments in the Middle East and issues of common interest.The Jordanian News Agency said the King expressed Jordan's appreciation for the U.S.' efforts to achieve security and stability in the Middle East, noting the endeavour of the Secretary of State John Kerry. The meeting touched on the developments of the U.S.-sponsored peace talks between the Palestinians and the Israelis, wherein the King reiterated that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital was a top Jordanian interest. On Syria, the King stressed the need to speed up efforts to find a comprehensive political solution to the Syrian crisis that maintains the unity of Syria and its people, ends the bloodshed and saves the region from catastrophic repercussions.