King meets with high-profile Arab, int'l delegations

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday discussed regional developments, especially those related to the Palestinian cause and Jerusalem, with a delegation from the Arab and International Relations Council (AIRC), a Royal Court statement said. 

The delegation, headed by AIRC Chairperson Mohammad Saqir, comprised Iyad Allawi, Tahir Al Masri, Fouad Siniora, Amr Moussa and Mohammed Al Salal.

During the meeting, held at Al Husseiniya Palace, the King reiterated the centrality of the Palestinian issue, renewing his call for more international efforts to resume the stalled Palestinian-Israeli peace process on the basis of the two-state solution with East Jerusalem as the capital of an independent Palestinian state.

His Majesty underlined Jordan's continued support to the Palestinians in their efforts to protect their historic and legal rights in Jerusalem, noting that the Kingdom will continue protecting the Muslim and Christian holy places under the Hashemite Custodianship.

The King said that Jerusalem is key for the security and stability in the Middle East.

He underlined the significance of the holy city for Muslims and Christians, which he said was shared by Jerusalemite and Jordanian clerics he met last month at the Baptism Site.

His Majesty commended the role of AIRC in conveying the pan-Arab positions in international forums.

For their part, the chairperson and members of the council voiced their appreciation for Jordan's role, under His Majesty's leadership, to achieve security and stability in the region as well as his continuous efforts to defend the Palestinian issue and Jerusalem.

Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh, Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Director of the King’s Office Jafar Hassan attended the meeting.

Also on Sunday, His Majesty met with a delegation from the Nizami Ganjavi International Centre, and discussed regional developments and the Palestinian issue, according to the Royal Court statement.

During the meeting with the delegation, which included former global leaders, His Majesty reiterated Jordan’s stance calling for resuming the peace process between the Palestinians and the Israelis. 

The meeting also touched on the regional crises and the fight against terrorism, in addition to the burdens shouldered by the Kingdom in hosting the Syrian refugees.

The centre was established in Azerbaijan in 2012 aiming at enhancing learning, tolerance, dialogue and understanding in the world.