Safadi, Blinken emphasise de-escalation at Al Aqsa

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday held talks over the dangerous escalation at Al Aqsa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif, and focused on the de-escalation efforts, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

The two top diplomats, over the phone, discussed the reasons behind the escalation that brings tension, emphasising the ongoing coordination and joint action to put an end to the escalation, prevent further violence and work towards restoring comprehensive calm.

Safadi stressed that to restore calm, "Israel has to respect Al Haram Al Sharif's historical and legal status quo and halt all measures that could undermine it”.

He also expressed appreciation of the US' position that calls for respecting the historical and legal status quo, highlighting the US efforts to restore calm, especially during Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.

Safadi also stressed the importance of the US position in support of the two-state solution, highlighting the US’ push to maintain calm and create a real political outlook to resolve the conflict on the basis of a two-state solution.

Blinken valued the Kingdom’s “special” role as part of the Hashemite Custodianship over Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian sites, reiterating the need to respect Al Haram Al Sharif’s historical status quo.

He also emphasised his country’s commitment to pushing towards achieving regional stability, reiterating support for the two-state solution, a way to resolve the conflict.

Both sides also stressed the “deep-rooted” and strategic Jordan-US partnership and agreed to continue coordination to resolve regional crises and achieve security, stability and peace.