Jordan, US call for cooperation to restore security in Iraq

AMMAN/CAIRO — Jordan and the US on Sunday stressed the importance of cooperation among all relevant parties and the international community to confront developments in Iraq that threaten the security of the whole region.

During a meeting with US Secretary of State John Kerry, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh expressed hope that all parties in Iraq will work to reach national unity that includes all components of Iraqi society, putting an end to all the reasons behind the current dangerous situation in the neighbouring country.

Discussions also covered the recent developments in the Syrian crisis, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Judeh reiterated the Jordanian stance that calls for reaching a political solution that guarantees the security and stability of Syria with the participation of all.

Talks also covered the challenges facing the Palestinian-Israeli peace process and the importance of resuming negotiations.

The current failure to reach a two-state solution is the main reason for regional instability, Judeh noted, warning that this may escalate to threaten international peace and security.

The feelings of frustration and despair may fuel extremism, leading to terrorism and violence that threaten the entire world, he warned.

Kerry expressed his country’s appreciation of Jordan’s pivotal role in the region, stressing support for its efforts towards stability and security as the voice of moderation and peace.

Earlier on Sunday, Kerry made the highest-level American visit to Egypt since President Abdel-Fattah Al Sisi took office, The Associated Press reported from Cairo.

“For Egypt, this is also a moment of high stakes as well as a moment of great opportunity,” Kerry told reporters after meeting Sisi.

He said Egyptians want better economic opportunities, greater freedoms, a free press and the rule of law.

“We talked about that today and I think we really found ourselves on a similar page of changes that have yet to be made, promises that have yet to be fulfilled, but of a serious sense of purpose and commitment by both of us to try to help achieve those goals,” Kerry said.

US officials say they have seen some small encouraging signs that Sisi is prepared to protect Egyptians’ rights. They cite the issuing of tough penalties for sexual assault against women and the freeing of  a jailed journalist who works for the Qatar-based Al Jazeera TV.

Kerry said he discussed these issues with Sisi, adding that the president promised reviews of human rights issues and legislation.

The US secretary also said they discussed the trial of three Al Jazeera English correspondents on terrorism-related charges since February. A verdict was due Monday in a case that has caused an uproar and concerns for freedom of expression in Egypt.

“He gave me a very strong sense of his commitment to make certain that the process he has put in place, a re-evaluation of the human rights legislation, a re-evaluation of the judicial process and other choices that are available to him, are very much on his mind,” Kerry said.

Kerry added that the Obama administration is working with the US Congress to sort out differences over the rest of the money designated for Egypt.

“I’m confident that we will be able to ultimately get the full amount of aid,” Kerry said.

But the US remains concerned about the Cairo government’s crackdown against the Muslim Brotherhood, which Washington considers a political threat to Sisi — not a security risk to Egypt.

The government’s security crackdown has targeted secularists and Brotherhood supporters who have protested against its heavy-handed policies. Some youth leaders who were at the forefront of the 2001 uprising against former president Hosni Mubarak and who also opposed his successor, Mohammed Morsi, are now languishing behind bars, mostly for violating a

 law that has restricted any public gatherings.

The president was sworn in earlier this month after leading a revolt last summer against Morsi, a Muslim Brotherhood leader who was the nation’s first freely elected leader. Since Morsi’s ouster, the Brotherhood has responded with protests that have turned into violent clashes between demonstrators and government security forces.

The US wants Sisi to build a more inclusive government, and that largely means lifting the ban on the Brotherhood and allowing it to participate in the political process.