Palestine Committee reviews peace efforts with Australian ambassador

AMMAN — The Lower House’s Palestine Committee on Sunday met with Australian Ambassador to Jordan Miles Armitage to discuss ways of breaking the stalemate in the Palestinian peace process.

Head of the House’s Palestine Committee, Yahya Saud, said that the Palestinian cause is a central issue, stressing the need for intensified international efforts to revive the peace process, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Saud called for achieving a comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, which guarantees the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people in establishing their state along the pre-1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, according to international law and the Arab Peace Initiative.

He also affirmed that Jordan, under its leadership, remained resolute towards the issue, warning against any changes in the status quo of occupied Jerusalem.

Saud also said that Australia’s decision to move its capital to Jerusalem was biased and against international law.

However, the committee president expressed his pleasure over the bilateral relations between Jordan and Australia, voicing his appreciation of Australia’s role in supporting the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, the two-state solution and UNRWA.

Armitage affirmed the two countries’ deep ties, and said his country was keen to enhance its relation with Jordan.

He also voiced his appreciation for Jordan’s role in hosting refugees, affirming his country’s support for the Kingdom.

Armitage added that media outlets only focused on the moving of the Australian embassy to Jerusalem, but ignored Australia’s stance on the issue, which calls for the two-state solution.