Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - His Majesty King Abdullah II met with visiting U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Thursday to discuss efforts to achieve peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis, as well as developments in the Syrian crisis.

During the meeting, which dealt with the Kerry’s efforts to bring the views of the Palestinians and the Israelis closer, the King reiterated Jordan's support for the U.S. efforts aimed at helping the two sides move forward in negotiations, based on the two-state solution and the Arab peace initiative, leading to the establishment of a viable and independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

His Majesty stressed that Jordan will continue to work and coordinate with all parties to support the negotiations that address all final status issues, which are associated with the top Jordanian interests, and according to a clear timetable.

His Majesty reiterated that the international community is required to exercise a greater role to stop the illegitimate and illegal Israeli unilateral actions in the occupied Palestinian territories. These actions, the King added, constitute a major obstacle to efforts to achieve peace.

Regarding the Syrian crisis, the King underlined Jordan's position in support of a comprehensive political solution to the crisis to stop the tragedy of the Syrian people and end the conflict, sparing the region from its disastrous repercussions and preserving the territorial unity of Syria and its people.

Further, he pointed to the large responsibilities and burdens borne by Jordan due to hosting the largest number of Syrian refugees, estimated at 600 thousand, and the pressure they exert on the limited resources of the Kingdom.

Kerry, for his part, briefed the King on U.S. efforts to achieve true progress in the current negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis. He also expressed appreciation for King Abdullah’s efforts to achieve peace in the region and boost security and stability.

The U.S. official also said he valued efforts exerted by Jordan to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian people, stressing that his country would continue to support the Kingdom to deal with the crisis caused by the influx of Syrian refugees. The U.S., he added, will continue to urge the international community to play a greater role and assume its responsibilities in providing assistance.

Kerry also briefed the King on his country’s efforts to convene the Geneva 2 conference on Syria.