King receives Palestinian president, reaffirms Jordan’s support for Palestinian people

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday reaffirmed Jordan’s steadfast support for the Palestinian people in gaining their just and legitimate rights, and establishing an independent, sovereign, and viable Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The King made these remarks at a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, which was held after the fourth trilateral Jordanian-Egyptian-Iraqi summit in Baghdad, within the framework of Jordanian diplomatic efforts led by His Majesty ahead of an upcoming working visit to Washington, DC, according to a Royal Court statement.

At the meeting, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, His Majesty called for translating the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip into an extended truce that pushes towards a political solution that fulfils the Palestinian people’s rights.

The King also underlined the need to step up international efforts to reach just and comprehensive peace, on the basis of the two-state solution, and to preserve the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem, stressing that Israel must cease all illegal violations and measures in the Palestinian territories.

His Majesty reiterated Jordan’s commitment to its steadfast historical and religious role in safeguarding Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, in line with the Hashemite Custodianship, stressing that the Kingdom will continue its efforts to support the Palestinians.

In addition, His Majesty commended the US administration’s recent decision to resume support for UNRWA as a positive humanitarian step that will help the agency continue its educational, health and relief services to refugees, in accordance with its UN mandate.

For his part, President Abbas noted Jordan’s pivotal role, under His Majesty’s leadership, in supporting and defending the rights of the Palestinian people in the international arena, as well as efforts towards reaching just and comprehensive peace.

 The Palestinian president also stressed the importance of the Hashemite Custodianship of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

 Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, and General Intelligence Department Director Maj. Gen. Ahmad Husni attended the meeting on the Jordanian side.

On the Palestinian side, Foreign Minister Riad Malki, Fateh central committee member and head of civil affairs Hussein Sheikh, General Intelligence Service Director Majid Faraj, Senior Diplomatic Adviser to the President Majdi Khaldi and Palestinian Ambassador to Jordan Atallah Khairi were in attendance.