Jordan Times
Monday, April 16, 2007
King reiterates importance of
relaunching peace process
AMMAN (Petra) — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday reiterated the importance of
urging Palestinians and Israelis to resume negotiations to move forward in the
peace process.
During a meeting with a delegation from the US National War College yesterday,
the Monarch called on the international community to intensify efforts in the
coming phase to tackle the challenges that impede relaunching peace talks
between the Palestinians and the Israelis, within a specified timeframe to
accomplish tangible results.
His Majesty said Israel should realise that Arabs are serious in their peace
offer, highlighting the importance of seizing this historic opportunity,
embedded in the Arab Peace Initiative that Arabs leaders readopted at the Arab
summit in Riyadh last month.
Regarding the Iraqi issue, the King expressed his support for all efforts
seeking to restore stability and security in the country. He also stressed the
importance of supporting national reconciliation among all Iraqi groups.
In response to a question on fighting terrorism in the region, the Monarch said
the international community should join hands to fight this dangerous
phenomenon. He also condemned attempts designed to associate Islam with terror.
King Abdullah pointed to the Amman Message that Jordan launched in 2004 to
highlight the noble values of Islam.
He also acquainted the delegates with Jordan’s efforts to develop the education
sector and the significant steps taken over the past years to set a model for
many Arab countries to benefit from the Kingdom’s experience.
The delegates commended the King’s efforts to achieve tangible progress in the
Middle East peace process, as well as his efforts to modernise and develop the
country.
Also on Sunday, the King received Portuguese President Mario Soares, who is in
the Kingdom to attend the 15th annual conference of the Academy of Latinity.
Talk during the meeting covered bilateral ties and ways of promoting them in
various fields, in addition to efforts exerted on the international level to
achieve stability in the Middle East and push the peace process forward.
King Abdullah also received UAE Interior Minister Lt. General Sheikh Saif Ben
Zayed Al Nahyan, who conveyed to His Majesty greetings from UAE President Sheikh
Khalifeh Ben Zayed Al Nahyan.