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Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - His Majesty King Abdullah II voiced Jordan's full support to the Palestinians in preserving their historical and legal status in Jerusalem, and to their efforts to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

During talks at the Basman Palace on Thursday attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hussein, the His Majesty and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, affirmed that the decision of the US president to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, and move the US embassy to the city, is a violation of the international law and international legitimacy resolutions.

His Majesty highlighted the need to intensify Arab, Islamic and international efforts to safeguard the rights of Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims in Jerusalem that is key to achieving peace and stability in the region.

The King also called for building on the international rejection of the US decision to avert unilateral steps that might be taken by other states.

The King and Abbas stressed the importance of coordinating the Arab stance, unify joint efforts and make contacts with the international community on the dangerous repercussions of the US decision on the security and stability of the region as well as on peace making efforts.

King Abdullah urged the international community to shoulder its responsibilities and take supportive and firm stances to achieve peace and solve the Palestinian issue. "The issue of Jerusalem should be settled within a comprehensive solution that leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital living in peace and security alongside Israel," the King added.

The King and the Palestinian president also affirmed that any measure to tamper with the historical and legal status of Jerusalem is null and void and will only lead to more tension and violence in the region and the world.

The two leaders also highlighted the centrality of the Palestinian issue, noting that the decision taken by the US administration will have dangerous repercussions and provoke the feelings of Muslims and Christians in the Arab and Islamic worlds.

His Majesty said that during his contacts with a number of leaders, he stressed the importance of supporting president Abbas and the Palestinian National Authority to counter any Israeli attempts to change the status quo in the holy city and enable the Palestinians to establish an independent state on the basis of the two-state solution, the Arab Peace Initiative and international legitimacy resolutions.

President Abbas briefed His Majesty on his contacts with a number of leaders on threats facing Jerusalem as well as the repercussions of the US decision on the future of the peace process as well as on the security and stability of the region and the world.

The Palestinian president voiced appreciation of efforts exerted by Jordan, under the leadership of King Abdullah, to support the Palestinians and defend their legitimate rights to establish an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, especially at this critical stage.

The talks were attended on the Jordanian side by HRH Prince Ghazi bin Mohammad, the King's Chief Adviser for Religious and Cultural Affairs and Personal Envoy, the prime minister, the Royal Court chief, the foreign minister and the director of the King's Office.

The talks were also attended on the Palestinian side by the secretary general of the PLO, member of the central committee of Fatah and head of Civil Affairs Department, head of the Palestinian Intelligence and the Palestinian ambassador in Amman.