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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - His Majesty King Abdullah II and U.S. President Donald Trump held a joint press conference at the White House in which they spoke about Jordan-U.S. cooperation and a number of Middle East issues.

His Majesty thanked President Trump for the warm welcome he received and said he was very delighted with the way the discussions have gone. "I do want to say is how much we deeply appreciate the close relations we have with the United States, President Trump and with the American people." The King said Jordan will continue its strategic partnership with U.S. at so many levels, adding that he was very delighted for President Trump's vision and holistic approach to all the challenges in the region. King Abdullah said: "The challenges we face today are many are not exclusive to my region (Middle East) but they are global and particularly the threats to global security". His Majesty stressed that terrorism has no borders or nationality or religion, saying joint action with a holistic approach is crucial.

"The world will be in a very good place as we move with all these challenges ahead", the King emphasized. He said the role of the U.S. is key to all the issues and challenges around the world but the U.S. should be supported by all of the international community to be able to translate that vision into the right direction.

His Majesty said he was very encouraged with the President's determination to support Arab and Muslim states in their fight against terrorism. "But it is not only the fight of terrorism inside of our societies, but we, as Arab-Muslim states standing behind the international community in being able to defeat this international scourge," His Majesty added.

On Syria, the King renewed the call for a political solution that ends the conflict in the country and preserve its unity and territorial integrity.

Turning to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, His Majesty said it is essentially the core conflict in the region. "The President’s early engagement as beginning in bringing the Palestinians and Israelis together has been a very encouraging sign for all of us," King Abdullah indicated, adding: "It was that initiative that allowed us at the Arab Summit last week to extend through the Arab Peace Initiative the message of peace to Israel, which we all hopefully will work together to make that come about." He pointed out that all Arab countries launched the Arab Peace Initiative last week, which offers a historic reconciliation between Israel and the Palestinians, as well as all member states of the Arab League. The King stressed that the Arab Peace Initiative remains the most comprehensive framework for lasting peace and it ensures statehood for the Palestinians, but also security, acceptance and normal ties for Israel with all Arab countries and hopefully all Islamic countries.

King Abdullah said he appreciates President Trump's commitment in all issues where others have failed adding: "You will find a strong ally in Jordan in supporting you in all your policies." Regarding yesterday's gas attack in Syria, King Abdullah said he and President Trump agree that this is another testament to the failure of the international diplomacy to find the solutions to this crisis. "But I believe under your leadership we will be able to unravel this very complicated situation", he added.

His Majesty said the Syrian crisis has been ongoing for seven years now and has descended into proxy wars from different parties with dubious agendas.

"But at the end of the day, as you pointed out, Mr. President, it is the civilians women and children that are paying the heaviest price. This is happening on our watch, on our conscience, as well as the global community. And I know the passion and the emotion that the President has expressed and how this should not be tolerated whatsoever. And this threshold of inhumanity and savagery that are being crossed every day is something that I know the President will not allow to happen, wherever it may be. And I fully support and endorse the President in this issue," King Abdullah added.

The King thanked Trump for having the outlook of looking not just at the Syrian challenges but that of Iraq, Israel, Palestine, Libya, and everything that is in the region. "I think your message to all of us is a message of hope, and that's what I take away from this conference," His Majesty said.