Jordan urges world to aid Syrian refugees

King Abdullah II on Monday urged the international to find a quick solution to the growing crisis in Syria and help Jordan in addressing the burdens of hosting 200,000 Syrian refugees. King Abdullah told a meeting with a number of US Foreign Policy Council officials in New York, that any resolution to the crisis must put an end to the bloodshed in Syria and preserve its unity and territorial integrity. The King warned of the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Syria, and called for concerted international effort to spare the Syrian people further suffering. He highlighted Jordan’s efforts to provide best services to an exodus of Syria refugees despite limited resources. Speaking on peace efforts in the Middle East, the King affirmed that the Palestinian cause remains Jordan’s core regional issue and that the two-state solution, which enjoys Arab and international consensus, is the sole means to achieve peace before “it is too late”. “Resolving the Palestinian issue will prevent any excuses may be used by any parties in the region to fuel conflict and take it to the unknown,” he said. His Majesty stressed that the international community should work firmly to resume Palestinian-Israeli negotiations to enable the Palestinian people establish their independent state on pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, living in peace and security alongside Israel. The King said he believes that the Palestinian issue is the gateway to overcome challenges facing the Middle East. On the Iranian nuclear issue, King Abdullah called for adopting dialogue as a means to work out differences, renewing Jordan’s call for a WMD-free Middle East. On the Arab Spring, the King said that it offered Jordan the opportunity to press ahead with comprehensive reforms that rise to the aspirations of the Jordanian people of a better future. The Arab Spring was a result of the Arab people’s aspirations for freedom, democracy, better future and decent living, he noted. King Abdullah paid tribute the Amman Message and Jordan’s efforts to promote dialogue between peoples and religions, stressing Jordan’s condemnation of insulting any religion. The King asserted that Jordan always seeks to remain a regional model for comprehensive reform. He highlighted the Kingdom’s comprehensive reform drive, referring to the constitutional amendments, the elections law, the Independent Elections Commission and the constitutional court. He also outlined preparations to hold elections and see a new parliament by the start of next year and arriving at parliamentary governments. Responding to questions by the attendance, the King said he is looking forward for a reform that is based on balancing between freedom, responsibility, accountability and transparency so the reform drive meet the demands and aspirations of all. He asserted that the reform process must be all-encompassing without monopoly by anyone for narrow purposes.