King meets Abbas in Ramallah, pledges constant support

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday discussed in Ramallah the latest developments in Palestine, according to a Royal Court statement.

King Abdullah checked on the health of President Abbas, who has recently undergone a medical check-up.

King Abdullah stressed the importance of maintaining consultation and coordination between Jordan and Palestine to sustain peace efforts and work out a just solution to the Palestinian issue, which, they agreed, is a regional and international priority. 

In this regard, the King vowed Jordan's full support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. 

During the talks, the King also highlighted the significance of working with the US administration to advance the peace process and relaunch serious and effective negotiations between Palestine and Israel based on the two-state solution.

King Abdullah said that US President Donald Trump is committed to achieving peace between Palestinians and Israelis, stressing the importance of intensifying efforts to create a political environment conducive to making real progress towards resolving the conflict.

The King also noted the need to preserve the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem, warning that any acts that threaten the situation in the holy city would have grave consequences for the region as a whole.

His Majesty, the Custodian of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, reiterated that Jordan will continue to protect the holy sites in the city, through working with the international community.

President Abbas expressed appreciation for Jordan’s efforts under the leadership of His Majesty to support the rights and just cause of the Palestinian people.

He further commended the pivotal role of the King and Jordan in reopening Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif after Israel closed the sanctuary, and defusing the recent crisis, stressing the importance of the Hashemite Custodianship over the Islamic and Christian sanctities in Jerusalem and its role in preserving and protecting it. 

The talks were attended by Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Sadafi, Director of the General Intelligence Department Major General Adnan Jundi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan and head of the Jordanian Representation Office in Ramallah, Khaled Shawabkeh.

From the Palestinian side, the meeting was attended by Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation Saeb Erekat and Minister of Foreign Affairs Riad Malki, among other officials and diplomats. 

Upon his arrival in Ramallah, King Abdullah received an official reception attended by President Abbas and senior Palestinian officials.