King meets UAE president to discuss developments in Syria, region

- two leaders affirm their shared views on respecting the choices of Syrians, safeguarding their country's security, stability, territorial integrity

- His Majesty reaffirms need to stop Israeli war on Gaza, bolster humanitarian response

- King calls for exerting utmost efforts to ensure success of ceasefire in Lebanon 

AMMAN — The situation in Syria and current regional developments were at the top of the agenda of His Majesty King Abdullah's meeting in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday with United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The two leaders affirmed their shared views on respecting the choices of the Syrian people and safeguarding Syria’s security, stability, territorial integrity, and national institutions, stressing that Syria’s stability is a strategic Arab and regional interest, according to a Royal Court statement. 

During the meeting in Abu Dhabi, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, His Majesty reaffirmed the need to stop the Israeli war on Gaza and bolster the humanitarian response.

The King reiterated that the continuation of the war on Gaza prevents reaching comprehensive calm, calling for creating a political horizon for the Palestinian issue, on the basis of the two-state solution. 

Turning to the situation in Lebanon, His Majesty called for exerting utmost efforts to ensure the success of the ceasefire, the statement said. 

The King noted the importance of the UAE's efforts, led by Sheikh Mohamed, in supporting regional stability and preventing the expansion of conflict.

The meeting also covered the deep-rooted ties between the two countries and peoples, as well as keenness to expand prospects for cooperation across all fields.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti, and General Intelligence Department Director Maj. Gen. Ahmad Husni attended the meeting. 

 Attendees from the Emirati side included Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and a number of officials.

Earlier, His Majesty was received at Al Bateen Executive Airport in Abu Dhabi by Sheikh Mohamed, Jordan’s Ambassador to the UAE Nassar Habashneh, and a number of senior officials, who were also there to bid the King farewell.

His Majesty returned to Jordan on Wednesday, according to another Royal Court statement.