Jordan Times
Monday, September 5, 2005
King, Saudi monarch talk bilateral, Mideast issues
AMMAN (JT) — His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday returned after a brief visit to Saudi Arabia where he met with King Abdullah Ben Abdul Aziz for talks on bilateral ties and regional developments.
King Abdullah congratulated the Saudi monarch on
his recent ascension to the throne, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
The King said he was certain that under the leadership of the new king, Saudi
Arabia would remain “supportive as ever of the just Arab and Islamic causes.”
The two leaders said they were keen on better and deeper bilateral ties in all
fields.
On developments in the Middle East, they described the Israeli withdrawal from
the Gaza Strip as a “positive and important step,” that should be followed by
further West Bank pullouts in line with the roadmap. This peace blueprint, they
said, must lead to the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian
state on the Palestinian national soil.
On Iraq, King Abdullah and the Saudi monarch stressed the need to preserve the
unity of the neighbouring country and its people. They voiced support for any
efforts to restore security and stability in Iraq. All Iraqis should be partners
in the political process in their country, the two leaders said, voicing
determination to fight terrorism and defend the name of Islam against attempts
by terrorists and extremists to distort its image and noble values, according to
Petra.
In an interview with the Jerusalem-based Al Quds newspaper to be published
today, the King told chief editor Marwan Abul Zuluf that Jordan's relations with
the Gulf countries was “distinguished and strong,” noting that there was
continuous coordination.
“We seek better relations with the Gulf countries. We highly appreciate the
assistance they have extended to us and we look forward to more assistance that
would help us overcome the difficult economic circumstances that emerged as a
result of the huge rise in oil prices,” the King said.