Jordan continues to take a lead in the region, FM tells UN officials

AMMAN — The Kingdom is neither a mediator nor an observer in the Palestinian issue; all matters related to a Palestinian final solution are linked to Jordanian interests, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Judeh said Tuesday.

The remarks were made during a high-profile meeting of senior officials at the UN and its specialised agencies to discuss the agencies’ contributions to regional issues, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The minister highlighted the centrality of the Palestinian cause as the core conflict in the region, adding that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has been ongoing for a long time.

Violence in the region will continue unless a comprehensive solution to the conflict is reached, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders and with East Jerusalem as its capital, Judeh said.

He also stressed the importance of reaching a political solution to the Syrian conflict that guarantees the safety, security and unity of the state with the participation of all components of the Syrian people as stipulated in the Geneva I resolutions.

The minister also reviewed the latest developments in the region, including Iraq, Libya and Yemen, referring to the need for political solutions and dialogue to guarantee the safety and stability of these countries, Petra reported.

Judeh praised the efforts of various UN agencies to ensure a better future for new generations and reach development and peace. He also emphasised their humanitarian role regarding the refugee crisis in the region, expressing Jordan's keenness to continue cooperation and coordination with the organisation.  

Also on Tuesday, Judeh met with a number of UN representatives on a variety of issues.

In a discussion with UN Undersecretary General for Political Affairs Jeffrey D. Feltman, he reviewed international efforts to combat extremism and terrorism and stressed the Kingdom’s position at the forefront of these efforts.

They also discussed the latest developments in the Palestinian arena and the installation of surveillance cameras at Al Haram Al Sharif to document Israeli assaults, Petra reported.

The minister also met with Stephan De Mistura, the UN secretary general’s special envoy for Syria, and reviewed the latest developments in the country and efforts exerted to contain the crisis.

Judeh convened with the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed and reviewed developments in Yemen, with the deputy prime minister stressing Jordan’s support for the Yemeni people and for all efforts aimed at realising peace and security in the country.

Hervé Ladsous, the UN undersecretary general for peacekeeping operations, highlighted the importance of cooperation between Jordan and the UN in terms of peacekeeping forces in his meeting with Judeh, according to Petra.