King, UAE president hold meeting in Abu Dhabi

• Two leaders urge intensified efforts to end war on Gaza, Lebanon
• King warns of dangerous repercussions of Israeli measures in West Bank, violations of Muslim, Christian holy sites in Jerusalem

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Wednesday held a meeting in Abu Dhabi, covering regional developments and deep-rooted bilateral relations.

The two leaders expressed pride in the strong ties between Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, as well as keenness to bolster cooperation across all sectors to enhance prospects for a comprehensive economic partnership, according to a Royal Court statement. 

The two leaders urged stepping up efforts to end the war on Gaza and Lebanon, and ensuring the protection of civilians in accordance with international humanitarian law, calling for increasing aid to Gaza in order to mitigate the humanitarian disaster.

His Majesty and Sheikh Mohamed stressed the need to bolster efforts to prevent a regional spillover of the conflict, and create a political horizon to achieve just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the two-state solution to ensure stability and security for all, the statement said. 

The King warned of the dangerous repercussions of unilateral Israeli measures against Palestinians in the West Bank, as well as violations of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.

The two leaders reiterated Jordan and the UAE’s firm position in support of the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Lebanon, and their support for the Lebanese people.

Prime Minister Jafar Hassan, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, and Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh attended the meeting.

From the Emirati side, Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and a number of officials attended the meeting.

King returned to Jordan on later on Wednesday, another Royal Court statement said.