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Ammon News - WASHINGTON (Petra) His Majesty King Abdullah II on Monday said the situation in Syria is "disastrous" and warned that the failure to reach a solution to the crisis will further increase tension and violence and fuel extremism.

King Abdullah stressed the need for a transitional and comprehensive political solution to the crisis and preserving Syria's unity and territorial integrity, adding that the continuation of the crisis will have negative implications on the future of the Middle East.

During a meeting with a number of representatives of the leaders of Arab and Muslim organizations in the U.S., the King said concerted international efforts must be exerted to find a comprehensive solution to the Syrian crisis which has been exacerbating to dangerous levels.

He pointed out that Jordan has received an influx of Syrian refugees of more than 500,000, placing massive burdens on Jordan's infrastructure and services especially schools and healthcare.

His Majesty said the international community must shoulder its responsibilities to support Jordan to enable it handle this emergency situation.

Meanwhile, the King stressed the important role Arab and Muslim organizations in the U.S. can play in supporting Arab issues, delivering Arab communities' concerns in the U.S. to decision-makers, promoting understanding and building bridges of cooperation and dialogue between the Arab and Muslim world and the West.

On the Palestinian issue, King Abdullah said the Palestinian cause remains the crux of the conflict in the Middle East and will remain a major factor of instability in the region if no solution is found.

The two-state solution is the only way to achieve peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis and enable the peoples of the region to live in peace and security, the King added.

He stressed that Arab and Muslim organizations can play an important role in explaining Arab causes and the suffering of the Palestinian people to decision-makers in the United States, in order to support efforts to bring about peace and establish an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders, living in peace and security alongside Israel.

His Majesty warned of Israeli violations and unilateral measures namely, continued settlement construction policies, attempts to violate holy sites in Jerusalem, which they aim to obliterate the Arab, Muslim and Christian identity of the city, asserting that such moves undermine any real effort to achieve a comprehensive peace.

King said that the window for peace is narrowing, which requires the coordination of efforts by all concerned international and regional parties to revive the peace process, and proceed down to a just and comprehensive peace.

King Abdullah noted that a recently-signed agreement with the Palestinians to defend Jerusalem came to emphasize "our continuous and historical duty" to protect and defend Muslim and Christian holy shrines.

Speaking on Jordan's reform drive, the King said the reform process is continuing to further enhance the Kingdom's democratic approach and expand popular participation in the decision-making process.

In response to a question by Petra on the recent Jordanian-Palestinian agreement on Jerusalem, Head of the American Task Force on Palestine, Ziad Asali, said the deal has political and historical importance as the Hashemite care to the holy city enjoys world's respect. He pointed out that the strategic relations between Jordan and the United States have secured Jordan a special respect, adding that the Kingdom has been trying to extend a helping hand to the region in general, and Palestine in particular.

Director-General of the Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR), Nihad Awad, said in a statement to Petra, that the meeting enabled Arab and Muslim organizations in the U.S. to better understand regional issues, especially challenges facing Jordan due to the large number of Syrian refugees on its territory.

He pointed out to the strategic importance of Jordan's role in resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict and pushing the peace process forward.