King Abdullah to meet with world leaders

King Abdullah on Monday begins his meetings with a number of political and economic leaders in New York, a Royal Court statement said on Sunday. The King is in the US to participate in the 67th UN General Assembly session, which convened its first meeting last Tuesday. The King will also meet a number of intellectual leaders in the Council on Foreign Relations, one of the most prominent decision-making centres in the US and the world. During his various meetings, His Majesty will discuss the developments in the Syrian crisis and Jordan’s stance, which is rooted in the need to end the suffering of Syrians by reaching a peaceful solution that leads to a political transition, the statement said. He will also shed light on the burden Jordan is carrying by hosting more than 200,000 Syrian refugees. The Palestinian cause, being a central issue in the Middle East, will take prominence at the King’s meetings, the statement said. He will reiterate Jordan’s historic and political stand in supporting the Palestinian people in achieving their legitimate rights and establishing a Palestinian state within the 1967 border, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The King will also highlight the Kingdom’s political reform achievements, in light of the historic constitutional amendments, the new Elections Law and the establishment of the Independent Elections Commission. His Majesty will also outline the map for the next stage, with a new Parliament expected to emerge by the beginning of next year, coupled with the formation of the Constitutional Court. The King is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech before the General Assembly on Tuesday, and will meet a number of world leaders and heads of delegations participating in the meeting. In a statement to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh said: “This week is the most important week at the United Nations, since it will witness a high-level session where kings, presidents and heads of delegations will participate.” In his speech, the King will address his comprehensive views on the latest developments in the region and the world, Judeh said. The minister said His Majesty will talk about what has already been accomplished in terms of political reforms in the country. Judeh noted that the King will also focus on the Syrian file and its consequences, especially regarding the great burden on Jordan due to the influx of a large number of Syrian refugees. He highlighted the need for the world to realise the burden Jordan is carrying by supporting Syrian refugees and provide further assistance. Judeh said that “the King is keen on tackling many issues, with focus on bringing back to the limelight the issue of Jerusalem and the Hashemite role in sponsoring the Islamic and Christian sacred places there.” Other issues include the importance of inter-faith dialogue, the need to respect religions and engage in a dialogue between civilisations instead of violence and counterviolence. From JT