Jordan Times
Tuesday, December 4, 2006
King says stability
hinges on restoring Palestinian rights
Khatib holds talks with Siniora, Berri in Beirut
Agencies
KING ABDULLAH ON Monday said the Middle East will
never enjoy stability and security unless the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is
resolved and Palestinian rights are restored.
On a two-day visit to Britain, the King told the Royal College for Defence
Studies in a lecture that the Palestinian crisis remains the core issue in the
Middle East, saying that resolving the conflict will help bring an end to other
problems in the region.
He called on Israel to seize the opportunity of current efforts, including the
Arab Peace Initiative, to end the conflict with Arabs.
King Abdullah added that the US and Britain should enhance their support for
peace efforts.
On Iraq, he urged the international community to help the country overcome its
difficult situation, outlining Jordanian and other Arab endeavours to national
reconciliation in the conflict-hit state.
King Abdullah, meanwhile, urged Lebanese to safeguard their unity in order to
meet challenges facing the country.
Yesterday, Foreign Minister Abdul Ilah Khatib held talks with Lebanese Prime
Minister Fuad Siniora and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
Khatib told Siniora Jordan was “greatly concerned for Lebanon” and said Amman
was ready to do its utmost to support Beirut.
Describing the current situation in Lebanon as "exceptional", Khatib said in
remarks to the press after the meeting that preserving Lebanese unity was in the
best interest of the entire region.
Khatib called for "activating all constitutional channels and institutions to
find a way out” of the problem.
He renewed the King's call for the resumption of national dialogue.
Khatib also met with Berri and reiterated Jordan's stand in support of Lebanon.
"The region is facing complicated and sad situations. There are sectarian
confrontations and sectarian violence. We hope Lebanon can preserve its
coexistence," Khatib said after talks with Berri.
Tensions ran high in Lebanon Monday after a Shiite was killed in a Beirut street
fight near a mass rally against the government, stoking fears of a descent into
sectarian strife (see separate report).