King reaffirms Jordan’s full support for steadfastness of Palestinians

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday received Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at Al Husseiniya Palace and reaffirmed Jordan’s full support for the Palestinians’ steadfastness and their efforts to gain their just and legitimate rights.

During the meeting, King Abdullah stressed the need to step up efforts towards reaching just and comprehensive peace, on the basis of the two-state solution, guaranteeing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, according to a Royal Court statement.

His Majesty called for working closely with active states and the international community to restore calm in the holy city, and to prevent a repeat of the violations against Islamic and Christian holy sites, and against the people of Jerusalem.

The King said Jordan has stepped up its coordination with all regional and international partners to end the escalations that followed violations against Al Aqsa Mosque, stressing that impeding Muslim worshippers’ access in Jerusalem and restricting the movement of Christians as they celebrate their religious occasions is unacceptable.

In addition, His Majesty reaffirmed his rejection of any attempts to alter the historical and legal status quo in Al Haram Al Sharif, stressing that Jordan continues its efforts to safeguard Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, under the Hashemite Custodianship.

The meeting also covered the outcomes of the trilateral meeting held at the beginning of this week in Cairo, which brought together the King, the Egyptian president, and the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, and addressed the latest developments with regards to the Palestinian cause.

For his part, President Abbas commended His Majesty’s efforts and intensive communications with leaders of friendly and brotherly countries in a bid to stop the latest Israeli escalations in Jerusalem.

Abbas also expressed appreciation of Jordan’s position in support of the steadfastness of the Palestinians, preserving the identity of the holy city, and safeguarding its holy sites, under the Hashemite Custodianship.

Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, General Intelligence Department Director Maj. Gen. Ahmad Husni, and a number of senior Palestinian officials attended the meeting.

His Majesty hosted an iftar in honour of President Abbas and the accompanying Palestinian delegation.