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Ammon News - LONDON (Petra)-His Majesty King Abdullah II and British Prime Minister David Cameron held talks on Wednesday in London on the latest developments in the Middle East, especially the Syrian crisis, efforts to resume peace talks between Palestinians and Israelis and bilateral ties.

Before the talks between the two leaders, the King said: "It is my pleasure to meet you today. I would like to thank the British Prime Minister for his friendship with Jordan, commitment of his government to help the Kingdom to overcome different challenges it faces, especially in regard to Syrian refugees; we appreciate all the assistance you provide." His Majesty noted that he has followed up the proceedings of the G8 summit, which was concluded on Tuesday, commending extra efforts made by the British government to ease the suffering of the Syrian refugees and the increasing burden on Jordan as a result.

The King pointed out that his talks with Cameron today are part of the constant coordination and consultation between the two countries on all issues.

For his part, Cameron said he is looking forward to discussing various issues with His Majesty, stressing that Britain and Jordan enjoy strong ties and work together to face all challenges.

The British prime minister pointed to the huge pressure imposed by refugees on regional countries, noting that the G8 summit agreed to provide additional humanitarian assistance to support affected countries. "We are in need to reach a settlement for the Syrian crisis" and the necessary steps to be taken in this regard.

In their meeting, the two leaders touched upon efforts to end the stalemate in the peace process and help Palestinians and Israelis to resume direct talks to solve all final status issues and establish the independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital and lives in security and peace along Israel according to the two-state solution.

In this regard, the King pointed to efforts made by the US and its Secretary of State John Kerry to converge views of both sides and return to the negotiating table and the importance of international support for these efforts, including Britain and the EU countries, pointing out the need to find a just, lasting and comprehensive settlement for the Palestinian issue.

The king reiterated Jordan's stance of the need to find a transitional comprehensive political solution for the Syrian crisis, pointing to the huge burden shouldered by Jordan for hosting more than 500,000 Syrian refugees in the country. His Majesty praised the British assistance to Jordan in this field, calling on the international community to increase the volume of assistance to the Kingdom to be able of provide relief services to the Syrian refugees.

Furthermore, His Majesty touched upon the comprehensive reform process, which Jordan is trying to carry out to cement the democratic approach and develop the political life, pointing out to efforts made by the Kingdom to face economic challenges, especially those related to regional turbulence.

The British Prime Minister announced that his country will provide Jordan with additional $50million to enable the country of shouldering some of the burden of hosting Syrian refugees and help municipalities in northern Jordan in which the infrastructure is facing huge pressure as a result.

Also, His Majesty held a separate meeting with Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs William Hague and discussed with him the regional situation, especially developments in Syria, efforts to achieve peace and other regional and international issues of common interest.