‘Jordan supports efforts to reach political solution in Syria’

AMMAN — Jordan supports the UN’s efforts in Syria and is committed to working towards a solution to the crisis there that will end the bloodshed, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh said Tuesday.

At a meeting with UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura, Judeh, who is also deputy prime minister, discussed the latest developments on the ground in Syria.

The foreign minister also listened to a briefing on the UN envoy’s meetings with several officials, the results of Geneva consultations and the ongoing preparations to hold a UN Security Council session on Syria before the end of this month.

He also reaffirmed Jordan’s unaltered stance since the beginning of the Syrian crisis, calling for finding a political solution that guarantees the security and safety of the country, with the participation of all components of the Syrian community.

The two officials also reviewed the situation of Syrian refugees in Jordan, who constitute 21 per cent of the population, and the huge burden the country is shouldering by hosting them.

For his part, the UN envoy stressed the need to continue coordination with Jordan regarding the Syrian crisis, expressing his appreciation for the Kingdom’s efforts to find a political solution to the crisis and support relevant endeavours.

Also on Tuesday, Judeh met with representatives of the Quartet on the Middle East and discussed the latest developments in the Palestinian arena and efforts to move forward with the peace process.

Judeh reaffirmed the importance of intensifying the efforts of all effective international powers to provide proper circumstances needed to revive the peace process between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

He also stressed that all final status issues affect the Kingdom’s national security and interests.

It is in Jordan’s interest to overcome all obstacles slowing down peace efforts with the goal of establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital on the June 4, 1967 borders in accordance with international resolutions, Judeh added.

For their part, the Quartet representatives expressed their appreciation for the Kingdom’s pivotal role in the peace process and their keenness to continue consultation and coordination on different issues.