Jerusalem escalation dominates agenda as FM, US delegation meet

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Wednesday met with a US delegation that arrived in the Kingdom earlier in the day starting a regional tour to discuss the dangerous escalation in Jerusalem and its holy sites and means to stop the escalation.

Safadi and the delegates, who included US Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Yael Lempert and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Israeli and Palestinian Affairs Hady Amr, discussed causes of the escalation and efforts to end it, where Lempert and Amr stressed the continuous joint work to prevent increasing violence that will negatively reflect on all and to restore comprehensive calm, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

The minister highlighted the importance for Israel to respect the historical and legal status quo at Al Aqsa Mosque and stop all procedures that undermine it, and the significance of ensuring freedom of worshippers as a means to restore calm.

He also praised the US position calling for respecting the historical status quo at Al Haram Al Sharif, stressing the centrality of the US efforts in endeavours to stop the escalation and restoring comprehensive calm that all worked for, and ending the violence and its repercussions on all.

For their part, the US delegates commended the Kingdom’s role under the Hashemite custodianship, renewing affirmation of the US stance that calls for respecting the historical status quo in Jerusalem.

Meanwhile, Safadi and Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence Simon Coveney went over means to stop escalation and restore the comprehensive calm.

The two ministers discussed efforts to resume real efforts that can lead to serious negotiations to achieve peace based on the two-state solution, stressing the need to stop all procedures that undermine the two-state solution.

Coveney voiced his country’s appreciation for the Jordanian stances and efforts that seek to solve the conflict and realise peace and stability.

Safadi and the Irish counterpart also agreed to continue coordination and consultation to end tensions and to discuss practical steps that can reactivate the peace process and restore confidence in it.