Jordan Times
Friday, February 25, 2005
King says Syria should respect 1559
LONDON (Petra) — His Majesty King Abdullah said
Jordan hopes that Syria will respect UN Security Council Resolution 1559.
King Abdullah told France 2 TV in an interview aired Wednesday that “the future
of Lebanon should be in the hands of the Lebanese.”
“We, in Jordan, always call for respecting the international law,” said King
Abdullah, who was in France for talks with President Jacques Chirac.
The UN resolution calls on Syria to withdraw its troops from Lebanon.
On the recently-held Sharm El Sheikh summit, the King said the meeting's
positive results should be translated into tangible progress. Palestinian
President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon declared a joint
ceasefire at the summit.
The King commended France's key role in pushing the peace process forward in the
region, adding that Chirac was fully aware of the problems in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, King Abdullah on Thursday said next week's London conference should
be held periodically to maintain international support for the Palestinian
Authority's reform plans and peace efforts.
King Abdullah told British Prime Minister Tony Blair at a 10 Downing Street
meeting that the conference is a sincere initiative to rally global support for
the Palestinian leadership to create an efficient political, security and
economic infrastructure.
The King reiterated Jordan's support for the London meeting, adding that the
Kingdom seeks through the event to make sure that the Israeli pullout from the
Gaza Strip is part of the roadmap and a prelude for a comprehensive Israeli
withdrawal from the Palestinian territories. Amman also seeks guarantees to
revive the Arab Peace Initiative and activate the Syrian and Lebanese peace
tracks.
During the talks, the Monarch urged the Palestinians and Israelis to continue
with trust-building measures as stipulated at the recently held Sharm El Sheikh
summit.
The King said Israel should evacuate settlements, open crossing points,
eliminate roadblocks and release Palestinian prisoners.
On Iraq, King Abdullah called on the international community to shoulder its
responsibility, contribute to the reconstruction of the conflict-hit country and
help Iraqis build a future.
On domestic issues, he told Blair that Jordan is determined to carry on with
reform and development plans designed to enhance the Kingdom's modernity. He
stressed that achieving a quality shift in the living standards of Jordanians
tops the Kingdom's priorities. Highlighting Jordan's role in cross-cultural and
interfaith interaction, the King said that the “Amman Message” calls for the
return of the “moderate voice of Islam,” and encourage “the silent majority” to
speak out of Islam as a faith of tolerance and moderation, building bridges of
understanding and dialogue with all the nations in the world.
The two leaders discussed means to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various
fields.
Blair said Britain always looks forward to enhance its relations with Jordan,
noting that reform and development plans in the Kingdom set a model for the
region.
The Jordanian delegation groups Prime Minister Faisal Fayez, King's Adviser on
Security Affairs, Director of the General Intelligence Department and President
of the National Security Council General Saad Kheir, Royal Court Minister Samir
Rifai and Foreign Minister Hani Mulki.