Reuters acknowledges misquoting King during meeting with Trump

AMMAN — Reuters acknowledged it made a mistake misquoting His Majesty King Abdullah during his meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington DC on February 11. 

Reuters said the news alert it published on February 11 during the meeting between the two leaders at White House was "misleading" and "withdrawn."

In a media advisory on Monday, a copy of which was sent to The Jordan Times, Reuters said the "following alert published on February 11 and headlined "JORDAN'S KING, ASKED ABOUT TAKING IN PALESTINIANS, SAYS WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND HOW DO WE MAKE THIS WORK THAT IS IN EVERYONE’S BEST INTEREST ", is misleading and is withdrawn. No substitute alert will be published."

Reuters said the alert was based upon the following remark from the King when asked about a US, proposal for his country to take in Palestinians from Gaza:

"We have to keep in mind that there is a plan from Egypt and the Arab countries. We've been invited by Mohammed bin Salman to have discussions in Riyadh. I think the point is, is how to make this work in a way that is good for everybody. Obviously, we have to look at the best interests of the United States, of the people in the region, especially to my people of Jordan."

Reuters said the February 11 alert did not contain his prefacing comment about an Arab proposal for Gaza. A separate Reuters story (Trump presses Jordan to take in Palestinians from Gaza; king opposes displacement) contained the same remark but with the correct context.