FM renews stands on Jerusalem, extremism and Libya at global meetings

AMMAN — Jordan has a direct interest in the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and final-status issues, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh said Friday.

Participating in a plenary Middle East Quartet meeting, held on the sidelines of the 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Judeh highlighted the importance of resuming serious, effective and time-bound negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

These negotiations should lead to the implementation of the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital within the June 4, 1967 lines, based on relevant international references and the Arab Peace Initiative, Judeh stressed.

The minister also referred to the continuous Israeli violations and provocations on Al Aqsa Mosque which could hamper the peace process, underlining the importance for Israel to immediately stop these acts.

Thousands of Palestinian worshippers performed the Friday prayer on streets outside Al Haram Al Sharif  because of the intensified military blockade Israeli occupation forces imposed around the sanctuary, Petra reported.

The Islamic awqaf department in East Jerusalem said the occupation forces banned those who are less than 40 years old from entering the old city and performing prayers at Al Aqsa Mosque.

On Thursday, Judeh participated in a meeting for the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation, where he called on Islamic countries to unite in defence of the true image of Islam after the terrorist and extremist organisations distorted its values of tolerance and acceptance of others, Petra reported on Friday.

In this regard, Judeh referred to importance of related initiatives His Majesty King Abdullah adopted such as the Amman Message and A Common Word, and the unanimous adoption by the UN General Assembly in 2011 of  King Abdullah’s initiative to dedicate the first week of February to international tolerance among all faiths.

He added that focusing on the youth and engaging them in efforts to stop violence and work for sustainable peace is highly important, stressing that youth issues are not restricted to education and religion, but also are related to politics and economy and safeguarding them against recruitment and brainwashing of terrorist organisations.

The top diplomat also referred to the Syrian crisis and its repercussions on neighbouring countries, especially Jordan, which hosts refugees representing more than 20 per cent of its population. The influx is leading these neighbours to face several challenges especially after donors and, subsequently, some UN agencies halted their support to them. 

At another meeting on Libya on Friday, called by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Judeh said that supporting Libya and providing assistance to its people should remain as a top priority for the international community.

At the meeting, attended by several foreign ministers and international organisations, he noted the Kingdom supported the Libyan people from the beginning of the February 17 revolution, and will continue its support to Libyans through its relations with the legitimate authority in the country, Petra added.

Jordan will not spare any effort to support the Libyan people in different regional and international events through its non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council, the minister said.