Ammon News - Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs Nasser Judeh on Wednesday took part in Montreux, Switzerland, in the international conference on Syria (Geneva II) sponsored by the United States, Russia and the United Nations.

Participants discussed ways to implement the resolutions of the Geneva I Conference to arrive at a political solution to the crisis in Syria and end the bloodshed and violence in that country.

In remarks during the conference, Judeh highlighted the importance of reaching a political solution to the crisis in Syria, noting that the Kingdom has clearly expressed this stance since the beginning of the crisis.

He said the conference is an opportunity that "should not be wasted to put this political solution on the right track through the cessation of hostilities," to be followed up by setting up an executive body where the entire Syrian spectrum is represented.

"It should have full authority to act immediately to restore internal harmony in Syria, with complete jurisdiction over all of Syrian territory, in a manner that ensures the country’s territorial integrity and political independence. This executive body should have full control and sovereignty over weapon arsenals, pave the way for a pluralistic and democratic political system, and work to restore security and stability to encourage the voluntary return of internally displaced persons and refugees in neighbouring countries, foremost of which is Jordan," said Judeh.

Jordan, Judeh said, is currently hosting about 1.3 million Syrian citizens, including nearly 600,000 who took refuge in Jordan after the outbreak of the crisis three years ago. "We share with these brothers and sisters our already limited resources, and the cost of hosting them is estimated at about $1.8 billion annually. We call upon the international community to help us meet the challenges as we have risen to these on behalf of the entire humanity." The minister thanked the State of Kuwait for hosting two successful conferences of donor countries in coordination with the UN.

He also urged world’s influential powers to help all Syrian parties to reach a political solution as it is the only way to end the crisis in Syria.

Yesterday, the foreign minister took part in a consultative meeting on the situation in Syria that was organized by the Arab League and the Geneva II Conference.

On the sidelines of the conference, Judeh also met with heads of a number of delegations and attended a coordination meeting for the foreign ministers of Arab countries taking part in the Geneva II Conference in the presence of Arab League Secretary General Nabil El Araby.

*Petra