King receives Egypt FM, commends Cairo’s efforts to reach Gaza ceasefire

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday received Egypt Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, who conveyed a message from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi on the deep-rooted bilateral ties and the continuation of close coordination on issues of mutual concern.

During a meeting at Al Husseiniya Palace, King Abdullah asked Shoukry to convey his greetings to President Sisi, underscoring the deep-rooted, brotherly ties between the two countries, and commending Egypt’s efforts, under the leadership of President Sisi, in brokering a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, according to a Royal Court statement.

His Majesty called for building on the ceasefire in Gaza, and the international attention directed towards the Palestinian cause, to activate a political pathway that fulfils the just and legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

The King commended the close coordination and consultation between Jordan and Egypt, noting the need to step up efforts to galvanise an active international role towards reaching just and comprehensive peace, on the basis of the two-state solution, guaranteeing the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

His Majesty said Jordan will continue its efforts to support the Palestinians, calling for maintaining cooperation between Jordan and Egypt to alleviate the implications of the Israeli aggression on Gaza.

In addition, the King pointed to his frequent warnings that the status quo is unsustainable in the Palestinian territories, calling for halting Israeli violations and provocations in East Jerusalem and in Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif.

His Majesty said Jordan will continue working to safeguard Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, in line with the Hashemite Custodianship, and to preserve the historical and legal status quo.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan attended the meeting.