Region’s security hinges on Mideast peace — King

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday asserted that the Palestinian issue is the core and essence of the conflict in the Middle East, noting that the region will continue to suffer insecurity, instability, despair and an increasing fear of the future unless just, comprehensive and viable peace is achieved between the Palestinians and the Israelis.  

In a letter the King sent to Abdou Salam Diallo, chairman of the Committee on the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, on International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People annually observed by the United Nations on or around November 29, the King expressed his appreciation of the committee’s efforts in support of the Palestinian cause and its defence of the Palestinians’ inalienable rights, foremost of which is the right to establish their own independent state on Palestinian national soil. 

“Dedicating one day every year for solidarity with the Palestinian people underlines the international community’s commitment to empowering them to overcome the suffering they are going through and achieve their rights, mainly the right for self-determination and fulfilling their legitimate aspirations in establishing an independent, sovereign and viable state on Palestinian soil, within the pre-1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital,” the King said.   

“This should be done on the basis of a just and final settlement on the basis of the two-state solution, and should be based on related-international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative,” the King added. 

“This solution is the sole means to end long and bloody decades of the Palestinian-Israeli struggle, achieve comprehensive peace and consolidate peace and stability in the Middle East.”

In the letter, King Abdullah asserted that Jordan is continuing with its defence of the holy city of Jerusalem in line with its religious and historic duties that come as part of the Hashemite custodianship of Islamic and Christian sites, according to a Royal Court statement.