Jordan Times
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Khatib reiterates Jordan’s support for just, peaceful solutions to regional issues
NEW YORK (JT) - Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdul Ilah Khatib on Friday highlighted Jordan’s support for just and peaceful solutions to issues in the region.
In his address to the 62nd UN General Assembly, Khatib said the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is at the core of current turmoil in the Middle East, adding that the conflict is at a turning point.
“Either the concerned parties in the region and the international community succeed in realising genuine and tangible progress in reaching a just and permanent solution, or the region will be dragged into extremism and chaos,” Khatib said.
The minister said the regional situation cannot tolerate actions that do not lead to real gains, stressing the need for proper preparation for the US-proposed Mideast peace conference, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.
“This meeting is an opportunity, which might be the last, to realise desired progress. Thus, the Quartet and countries in the region must make preparations to achieve tangible progress,” said the minister.
Khatib added that holding regional and international meetings and conducting negotiations should not be an objective in itself, but a means to achieve the desired goal - a genuine peace that people of the region accept.
The minister stressed that a stable and unified Iraq is essential for balance and stability in the region, noting that Jordan welcomes the Security Council’s adoption of UN Resolution 1770, which expands the four year old mission in Iraq (UNAMI) into one that works to “promote, support, and facilitate” effective economic and social services, in coordination with the Iraq government.
UNAMI’s previous role was mainly restricted to reconstruction work.
“Jordan also welcomes a central role by the UN in Iraq to realise national reconciliation and bring about stability in the country,” the minister added.
On Lebanon, the minister reiterated the Kingdom’s support for free and fair presidential elections, and called for an end to foreign interference in the country’s affairs.