King meets Arab leaders on summit’s sidelines

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah held a trilateral meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, during which the three leaders underlined the need to intensify and coordinate joint efforts to push forward with the Middle East peace process.

They also called for restoring momentum to the Palestinian cause, the “core conflict in the region”, according to the Royal Court.

Talks focused on the Arab Peace Initiative as a strategic Arab option towards achieving a comprehensive and just peace in the Middle East.

They reaffirmed the significance of maintaining the historical status quo of Jerusalem, warning that any attempts to change it would have negative consequences on the security and stability of the entire region.

His Majesty also held a separate meeting with Sisi over means to enhance bilateral relations between Jordan and Egypt, in a way that serves both countries’ interests.

They highlighted the importance of sustaining coordination and consultation over regional issues of mutual interests. 

Also on Wednesday, the King and Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmajo discussed the prevailing circumstances in Somalia and the importance of helping the country realise peace and stability. 

King Abdullah and Farmajo reviewed regional and international efforts exerted to fight terrorism within a holistic approach.

His Majesty also congratulated Farmajo for his election as president. 

Separately, the Monarch and Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya Fayez Sarraj held a meeting that focused on the latest developments in Libya and efforts aimed at reaching unity among Libyans, building state institutions and achieving security and stability necessary to maintain the unity of the country. 

Meanwhile, King Abdullah’s meeting with Algeria’s National Assembly Speaker Abdulqader Bin Saleh focused on bilateral ties between Amman and Algiers, as well as means to push them forward at all levels. 

The King and Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi underlined the importance of holding the Amman summit in enhancing Arab unity and joint action, which play a role in serving Arabs’ just causes.

The meeting between the King and Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi concentrated on supporting the Iraqi government in its war against terrorism and in launching a political process that comprises all components of the Iraqi people, in a way that contributes to building a stable, strong and united Iraq.

Earlier in the day, King Abdullah and Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah highlighted the deep-rooted ties between Jordan and Kuwait, stressing the importance of developing them at all levels to realise the interests of both countries and peoples.

During the meeting, both leaders discussed regional crises and underlined the importance of reaching solutions to them, according to a Royal Court statement.

His Majesty and Sheikh Sabah also called for the enhancing of pan-Arab action in order to maintain the interests of the Arab countries.

King Abdullah also met Omani Prince Sayyid Asa’ad Bin Tariq Bin Taimur Al Said, deputy prime minister for international relations affairs and special representative of the Sultan of Oman Qaboos Bin Said, and reviewed bilateral ties and means to enhance cooperation and coordination at various levels.

Talks between the Monarch and the Omani prince focused on the primary challenges for the Arab region and the need to address them through joint Arab efforts and unifying Arab stances, the statement added.