King calls for reinvigorating Mideast peace efforts

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday stressed that the international community should intensify its efforts to ensure the resumption of peace negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis, to arrive at a comprehensive, just and viable peace. 

At two separate meetings with UK MPs from the defence and foreign affairs committees, and with leading British intellectual and academic figures in London, King Abdullah said it is important to address the root cause of the problem through intensive support of peace efforts to prevent the occurrence of another Israeli offensive on Gaza, a Royal Court statement said.

Unless the Palestinian issue, which he described as the central regional cause, is solved, the situation will remain volatile in Gaza and in the Palestinian territories, and the entire region will be at stake, the King told the attendees at both meetings, according to the statement. 

King Abdullah also stressed that the international community should intensify its efforts in rebuilding Gaza to mitigate the suffering of its people, highlighting Jordan’s continued humanitarian and medical assistance to the Gazan people through its military field hospital, and the dispatching of convoys carrying relief aid. 

Regarding the conditions in Syria, the King highlighted the grave repercussions that will result should the Syrian crisis remain unresolved, underlining the heavy burden borne by Jordan as a result of hosting large numbers of Syrians and the importance of further international support for Jordan to help it deal with this challenge. 

King Abdullah stressed that a comprehensive political solution, not a military one, is needed to resolve the Syrian crisis, noting that the lengthy conflict there has attested to that. 

Regarding the situation in Iraq, King Abdullah noted that Jordan attaches great importance to preserving Iraq’s security, unity and stability, adding that all components of Iraq’s society and political powers should be engaged in a reconciliatory political process to safeguard their country. 

Furthermore, he noted that the rising terrorist movements and their ideologies, which are not related in any way to Islam, is one of the outcomes of failure to work out political solutions to regional crises.

In order to confront their danger, the King underscored the need for effective international cooperation to counter extremism by refuting extremist ideologies and spreading a culture of tolerance and moderation.

British MPs and intellectuals praised the King’s efforts to achieve peace and stability in the region, expressing their understanding of the various difficulties facing Jordan, especially economic challenges, the Royal Court statement said.  

They also commended Jordan’s moderate policies, noting that discussions with the King helped them formulate a clear picture of developments in the Middle East.

During his visit to the UK, King Abdullah will participate in the NATO summit, hosted by the UK September 4-5. 

He will also hold talks with Prime Minister David Cameron on bilateral ties and the region, it was announced.