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Ammon News - * King calls for efforts to jumpstart Mideast peace talks

AMMAN (Petra) King Abdullah II on Sunday said fresh efforts are needed to break the impasse in the Palestinian-Israeli peace process and kickstart negotiations based on the two-state solution.

The King told a visiting American Jewish Committee AJC team that the two-state solution is the only way to bring about comprehensive and just peace in the region.

He said efforts should be stepped up to achieve peace and set up an independent and viable Palestinian state on national Palestinian soil on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital and living in peace and security alongside Israel.

His Majesty said the opportunity of Palestine's upgrade to non-member, observer state at the United Nations should be seized as a positive factor to enhance efforts to arrive at a comprehensive peace to end the conflict.

He urged all regional and international players, namely the United States, to engage in efforts to revive peacemaking and use President Barack Obama's second term in office to reach a fair peace that guarantees a secure future to all peoples in the region. However, the King stressed that the success of the quest for peace hinged on a cessation of all Israeli unilateral actions, including settlements and attempts to judaise the holy city of Jerusalem.

Members of the AJC, a Jewish advocacy group, commended the King's role and support of peace endeavours.


Foreign Minister meets American Jewish team

Also on Sunday, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh briefed the visiting American Jewish Committee AJC delegation on Jordan's reforms, including last week's parliamentary elections, as they discussed the Middle East peace process and regional developments.

Judeh said all possible efforts should be exerted for resumption of Palestinian-Israeli peace talks to realize the two-state solution and set up an independent and viable Palestine on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Israel, he said, should halt all unilateral measures, namely settlement building that undermines the prospect of successful negotiations and comprehensive peace. He said Jordan has vital interests in all final status issuesJerusalem, security and waters, water and refugees.

The minister said all regional and international parties, including the United States, should engage in the negotiations during Barack Obama's second presidential term and after Palestine won observer, non-member status at the United Nations.

Judeh also spoke about the humanitarian consequences of the Syrian crisis on Jordan and the condition of hundreds of thousands of refugees, adding that the Kingdom is struggling to cope with a growing number of displaced people and provide services to them.

He called for international aid to the refugees, particularly during the harsh winter, adding that Jordan had led calls for a speedy and peaceful end to the bloodshed paving the way for a transition to help Syrians end the crisis.