King, Abbas discuss Mideast, region ahead of Arab summit

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday discussed efforts to revive Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations and the regional situation with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, according to a Royal Court statement. 

The talks, held at Al Husseiniya Palace, focused on the importance of the upcoming Arab summit the Kingdom is going to host on March 29 and the issues on its agenda, on top of which are Jerusalem and the Palestinian cause. 

The Palestinian issue is expected to witness a dramatic turn if new US President Donald Trump makes good on his promise to relocate his country’s embassy to Jerusalem, the east part of which is part of the two-state solution to the Mideast conflict, and where the Hashemite leadership of Jordan is the official custodian of religious shrines. 

Jordan will work with all regional and international parties to maintain the historic status quo in Jerusalem, the King said in regard to protecting sanctuaries in Palestine. 

Moreover, the talks focused on the importance of coordination during the upcoming period with the US administration and Congress to discuss the repercussions of any decisions that violate the status quo in Jerusalem on peace and security in the region, and highlighted also regional developments. 

King Abdullah said that Jordan, through the presidency of the summit, is going to work on reviving the momentum of efforts to solve the conflict and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.

The two leaders urged continuous coordination regarding the future steps to revive the peace negotiations based on the  two-state solution.

For his part, Abbas briefed His Majesty on the efforts of the Palestinian leadership with the different active parties in the international community to revive peace negotiations and establish a sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. 

The Palestinian president commended Jordan’s efforts, under the leadership of the Monarch, in supporting Palestinians and their cause. 

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Hani Mulki, Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, King’s Adviser on National Security Affairs and General Intelligence Department Director Gen. Faisal Shobaki, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, King’s Office Director Jafar Hassan and the delegation accompanying Abbas.