Muslims are primary victims of terrorism — King

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday met with US Vice President Mike Pence.

His Majesty and the vice president emphasised the strength of the strategic Jordanian-US relationship as well the role the US plays in ensuring regional stability.

His Majesty stressed that terrorism is a common enemy that "threatens all of us", a Royal Court statement said.

He emphasised that Muslims are number one victims of the outlaws of Islam (Khawarej), "who pose a global problem and do not represent any faith or nationality and target all of us who do not subscribe to their ideology of hate," the statement said.

They also discussed efforts to end the Syrian crisis as well as the importance of international cooperation in efforts to bring a political solution to this crisis.

Both sides also discussed efforts to revive the Palestinian-Israeli peace process and means to bring both sides back to the negotiating table.

The US side is committed to working closely with Jordan when addressing these issues in the spirit of strategic partnership between both countries, Pence said.

US-Jordanian bilateral relations were also discussed, and Vice President Pence reaffirmed the US continuous support for Jordan in implementing economic reforms and sustaining the burden of refugees.

Also on Monday, King Abdullah held two separate meetings with US Secretary of Defence James Mattis and Secretary of Homeland Security John F. Kelly over strategic relations between both countries and ways to develop them at all levels.

In His Majesty’s meeting with Mattis, talks were focused on mechanisms of coordination and consultation between Amman and Washington regarding Middle East developments and how best to deal with them, seeking eventually to achieve security and stability for the region and its people, according to the Royal Court. 

King Abdullah and Mattis stressed the importance of having in place a comprehensive strategy to fight terrorism, with the King urging war against terror groups in the region.

They reiterated the importance of achieving progress in forging political solutions to regional crises.

Other issues tackled in the meeting, held at the Pentagon, included military cooperation between Jordan and the US to overcome challenges facing both countries.

The Syrian crisis, the war against terrorism and the latest developments in Iraq were also on the meeting’s agenda.

For his part, Mattis commended the efforts of His Majesty and the Kingdom in achieving regional stability and fighting terrorism, stressing the need to work with Jordan in preparing a sound anti-terror strategy, based on partnership, mutual interests and shared challenges.

He praised the King’s advice to the new US government, voicing the US administration’s commitment to supporting Jordan in overcoming a multitude of challenges. 

As for the meeting with Kelly, discussions covered ways to enhance security cooperation between both countries.

They also called for boosting cooperation between security institutions and further exchange of expertise, as well as facilitating procedures pertaining to Jordanians travelling to the US. 

Kelly underscored the significance of working with the Kingdom to prepare a comprehensive strategy for the war against terrorism, calling on all countries to contribute to such efforts, he said, especially since terrorism is an indiscriminate, global phenomenon.