King meets Netanyahu, calls for seizing peace opportunity

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and discussed the latest developments in the peace process in light of the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli negotiations.

Stressing the importance of the time factor, the Monarch called for seizing the current opportunity and building on efforts exerted by US Secretary of State John Kerry to achieve tangible progress in the peace talks, according to a Royal Court statement.

He underlined the need for the negotiations to lead to the establishment of a viable and independent Palestinian state within the pre-1967 lines that lives side-by-side with Israel, with East Jerusalem as its capital. The solution to the conflict, he reiterated, should come according to the international resolutions, the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative and the two-state formula.

King Abdullah stressed that Jordan's higher interest, especially those related to the final-status issues are "on the top of our priorities", urging all stakeholders to work for a comprehensive and just peace by ensuring the right atmosphere that renders peace talks successful.

The King's meeting with Netanyahu comes after his recent talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Kerry as part as the ongoing consultations and coordination in efforts to achieve peace, the statement read.