King urges launching of serious Palestinian-Israeli peace talks

 His Majesty King Abdullah II on Tuesday met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and stressed the need to break the stalemate in the peace process through launching serious and effective peace talks between the Palestinians and Israelis.

The King reiterated that negotiations should be based on a two-state solution leading to the establishment of a Palestinian state on the June, 1967, lines with East Jerusalem as its capital.

During the talks, which were held at the Basman Palace, His Majesty stressed Jordan's rejection of unilateral Israeli actions, including building settlement units and expropriation of Palestinian-owned lands in the occupied West Bank, which are a real obstacle to achieving just and lasting peace according to the two-state solution.

His Majesty also called on the international community to take its responsibility toward the Israeli escalation and lobby Israel to cease such practices that will only breed more violence.

King Abdullah also reiterated that Jordan stands with all its capabilities with the Palestinian brothers to restore their legitimate and just rights, and will pursue its endeavours with influential parties and the international community to find a political horizon "that serves Palestinian interests and the rights of the Palestinian people".

During the talks, emphasis was put on maintaining bilateral coordination and consultation on the latest developments concerning the Palestinian issue.

Furthermore, His Majesty underscored the importance of maintaining the status quo in Jerusalem as the key to achieving peace in the region, stressing that Jordan continues to carry out its historic and religious role of safeguarding Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem in line with the Hashemite Custodianship over these shrines.

The Palestinian President, for his part, commended the Kingdom's stance towards the Palestinians, their cause, and their legitimate rights.

The meeting was attended by the Foreign Minister, the King's advisor and director of his office, and the General Intelligence director. Also present on the Palestinian side were the PLO Executive Committee secretary, the president's adviser for diplomacy and the Palestinian Ambassador in Amman.

//Petra//SS, AJ