King meets Abbas, religious leaders

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday discussed efforts to revive Palestinian-Israeli negotiations with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, according to a Royal Court statement. 

The meeting, held at Al Husseiniya Palace, focused on the King’s recent visit to the US, where he discussed the Palestinian cause with US President Donald Trump, and on Abbas’ upcoming visit to Washington. 

The two leaders highlighted the importance of reviving Palestinian-Israeli negotiations based on a two-state solution to end the conflict and establish an independent Palestinian state. 

The meeting focused on the Arab Peace Initiative, reaffirmed during the Arab summit hosted in Jordan early this year. His Majesty stressed that the initiative comprises the most comprehensive framework to achieve peace in the Middle East. 

King Abdullah and Abbas stressed the importance of preserving the status quo in Jerusalem for its religious and historical importance to Arabs and Muslims, voicing rejection of all unilateral Israeli measures that threaten the identity of Jerusalem and its Arab roots. 

They reviewed regional developments and challenges facing some Arab countries, as well as means to find political solutions to them. 

For his part, Abbas commended Jordan’s efforts under the leadership of His Majesty to support the rights of Palestinians and their cause. 

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Hani Mulki, Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, King’s Office Director Jafar Hassan, General Intelligence Department Director Maj. Gen. Adnan Jundi and various senior Palestinian officials. 

In a separate meeting, King Abdullah discussed means to boost dialogue among followers of different religions with Reverend Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the apostolic administrator of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem and Patriarchal Vicar for Jordan Bishop William Shomali, a Royal Court statement said. 

The meeting, attended by HRH Prince Ghazi, the King’s personal envoy and religious affairs adviser, focused on the Kingdom’s efforts to preserve sanctuaries in Jerusalem, and the role of Arab Christians in contributions to those efforts. 

The participants also stressed Jordan’s model of harmonious living and coexistence, whereby the King wished Shomali success in his recently appointed position as patriarchal vicar for Jordan.

For his part, Pizzaballa commended the King’s efforts in light of the Hashemite custodianship of Islamic and Christian sanctuaries in Jerusalem and the role of His Majesty to achieve peace and stability in the region. 

The meeting was attended by Tarawneh and Hassan. 

Also on Sunday, King Abdullah discussed on the phone bilateral relations and regional and international developments with King Philippe of Belgium, according to a Royal Court statement.