Monday, April 12, 2004
Transfer of power to Iraqis would end deteriorating situation - King
AMMAN, April 12 (Petra) - His Majesty King
Abdullah on Sunday said speeding up the handing of power to Iraqis and expanding
their participation in their own affairs would put an end to the deteriorating
security in Iraq.
His Majesty expressed his grief over the killing of innocent civilians in acts
of violence in Fallujah and other Iraqi cities during a meeting with dignitaries
and public figures in Irbid governorate.
The future of Iraq should be in the hands of the Iraqis and the international
community should be more concerned than ever in helping them rebuild their
institutions and run the affairs of their country, King Abdullah said.
The King said that during his upcoming visit to the US this week he would stress
Jordan's position on ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and that Israel's
pullout from the Gaza Strip is not an alternative to the roadmap peace plan.
The sole solution to the state of instability in the region is ending Israel's
occupation and establishing the independent Palestinian state, King Abdullah
said.
During the meeting, attended by Prime Minister Faisal Fayez and a number of
cabinet ministers, King Abdullah declared a comprehensive development plan for
Irbid governorate to improve the area's infrastructure and public services to
local citizens. The King hoped a development housing project will be implemented
in Irbid just like the major projects in Amman and Zarka.
He said Jordan is going ahead in the reform process to achieve political
development in which all parties participate. Reforms can only be completed with
the emergence of strong political parties, King Abdullah said.