Petra News Agency
Sunday, June 24, 2007
King Voices Jordan's Full
Support for the Palestinian National Authority
Amman June 24(Petra) – His Majesty King Abdullah II expressed Jordan's full
support for the Palestinian National Authority as the legitimate representative
of the Palestinians as well as for the PNA's efforts to lift the siege on the
Palestinian people, build national Palestinian institutions and move the peace
process forward.
During talks in Amman today with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, King
Abdullah said that events in the Gaza Strip had dealt a significant blow to
Palestinian unity and that the Palestinian people have reached a critical
juncture in their history.
The King said Jordan opposes the division of Palestinian society and urged the
Palestinians to restore order and unity among themselves. He said that the
Palestinian national interest must supersede all other considerations in
decision making in order to overcome the repercussions that threaten the
Palestinian cause.
He urged the Arab and international communities to support the Palestinian
people in every possible way and to intensify their efforts to advance the peace
process towards a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The
King said the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the West Bank
and Gaza Strip was and continues to be a priority shared by both Jordanians and
Palestinians. He said Jordan would continue to support the Palestinian people's
aspirations for freedom and independence.
During the meeting, the two leaders also discussed preparations for
quadrilateral summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, tomorrow, during which they will
also meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud
Olmert. The summit will discuss ways to support the Palestinian people,
especially by lifting the siege on the Palestinians and the resumption of
negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis.
The King emphasized that the summit must be seized as an opportunity to
formulate a clear timeline for a return to negotiations.
President Abbas briefed King Abdullah on developments in the Palestinian
territories following Hamas' takeover of the Gaza Strip two weeks ago. The
Palestinian president also expressed appreciation for Jordan's support for
Palestinian unity, as well as Jordan's material support for the Palestinian
population, including a recent urgent aid shipment to the Gaza Strip residents
to alleviate hardships caused by major shortages in basic commodities.