King receives Abbas in Aqaba

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday received Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Aqaba, within the framework of ongoing Jordanian-Palestinian coordination and consultation.

During the meeting, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, King Abdullah stressed the need to step up international efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace, and end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, on the basis of the two-state solution, according to a Royal Court statement.

His Majesty reaffirmed Jordan’s full support for the Palestinian people, as they seek their just and legitimate rights to an independent, sovereign, and viable state on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The King underscored the importance of preserving the legal and historical status quo in Jerusalem, expressing Jordan’s rejection of all unilateral measures aimed at altering the city’s identity or religious sites, and attempts to impose spatial or temporal divisions in Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif.

Moreover, His Majesty said Jordan will persist in undertaking its historic and religious role in safeguarding Islamic and Christian holy sites in the city, in line with the Hashemite Custodianship.

For his part, President Abbas expressed appreciation of Jordan’s steadfast positions, under the King’s leadership, in support of the Palestinians’ rights and their legitimate cause.

President Abbas added that His Majesty’s focus on the centrality of the Palestinian cause and the importance of continuing to strive towards just and comprehensive peace reaffirms the deep-rooted ties between the two leaders and peoples.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and General Intelligence Department Director Maj. Gen. Ahmad Husni attended the meeting on the Jordanian side.

On the Palestinian side, Fateh central committee member and head of civil affairs Hussein Sheikh, and General Intelligence Service Director Majid Faraj were in attendance.

Following the meeting, a joint Jordanian-Palestinian communiqué was released. Below is the full English translation:

“His Majesty King Abdullah II and His Excellency President Mahmoud Abbas held a meeting on Sunday in the city of Aqaba, attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein Bin Abdullah II.

At the meeting, held within the framework of ongoing Jordanian-Palestinian coordination and consultation, King Abdullah II and President Abbas stressed the deep brotherly and historic ties between the two countries, and ongoing efforts to bolster them across all sectors.

His Majesty and the Palestinian President reviewed the latest developments related to the Palestinian cause, as well as regional and international developments, and efforts to resolve regional crises.

King Abdullah II reaffirmed Jordan’s unwavering support, within all efforts and means possible, for its Palestinian brethren as they seek to gain their just and legitimate rights, especially their right to establish their independent, sovereign, and viable state on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, on the basis of the two-state solution, and in line with international law, relevant UN resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

His Majesty and the Palestinian President emphasised the need to end unilateral Israeli measures that undermine peace prospects and fuel conflict, such as settlement activity and any attempts to annex Palestinian lands. The two leaders also stressed continued opposition towards any attempts to impose new facts on the ground or alter the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem, and their rejection of attempts to impose spatial or temporal divisions in Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif.

The Palestinian President praised Jordan’s historic role in protecting and defending Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, in line with the Hashemite Custodianship.

President Abbas expressed appreciation of Jordan’s steadfast positions, under King Abdullah II’s leadership, in support of the Palestinians’ rights, their legitimate cause and Jerusalem.

King Abdullah II and President Abbas stressed the need to provide all means of support to sustain the work of UNRWA, to enable it to continue providing its vital education, health and relief services to refugees, in accordance with its UN mandate.

The two leaders agreed to continue coordination and consultation on various issues, in line with the aspirations of the Palestinian people as they seek their legitimate rights, and in service of achieving a just and comprehensive peace and promoting stability in the region.”