Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - King Abdullah II met key members of the US Congress on Wednesday in Washington DC with leading figures at the Congress and discussed with them bilateral relations and means of further strengthening them. He also discussed the developments in the peace process and the latest developments regarding the Syrian crisis.

During the meeting, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, the King met Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez and Committee members, Democratic Senator Barbara Mikulski Maryland, Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Democratic Senator Pat Leahy of Vermont, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnel.

The Monarch's meetings with key members of the US Congress covered regional developments and means to boost bilateral ties to best serve the interests of the two countries.

Discussions focused on efforts to bring about peace in the Middle East and US efforts in this area. The King underlined Jordan’s commitment to achieve a comprehensive and just peace that protects its interests and strategic priorities, especially when it comes to final status issues.

His Majesty stressed that the establishment of an independent Palestinian state that lives side-by-side with Israel is a regional and global interest to bring about peace and foster security and stability in the region based on the two-state solution and the international resolutions.

They also discussed the latest developments in Syria, with His Majesty reiterating the Kingdom’s stand in support of a comprehensive political solution to the crisis that ends the bloodshed and suffering of Syrians, and preserves the unity and cohesion of their country.

King Abdullah called on the international community to support Jordan’s relief efforts targeting Syrian refugees, who are placing a "huge" burden on the Kingdom’s scarce resources and affecting the quality of life in host communities, including infrastructure, health and education aspects.

On the other hand, the Monarch reviewed achievements realised under Jordan’s comprehensive reform drive aimed to enhance public participation in the decision-making process and push the development process forward.

For their part, the lawmakers voiced their appreciation for the King’s efforts to bring about comprehensive peace, in addition to Jordan’s endeavours to provide humanitarian services to Syrian refugees.

They underlined their commitment to continued coordination with the Monarch over regional issues and stressed the need to support Jordan economically to help it face difficulties arising from the refugee influx.

In an interview with "Petra", Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez said" We had a fruitful meeting with King Abdullah during which we discussed bilateral relations". He also asserted that Jordan is a strategic partner for the US which will in turn exert every possible effort to help the kingdom economically promising to provide long -term economic guarantees to Jordan.

He also added:"the talks also tackled the situation in Syria which is a challenge not only regarding hosting the refugees but also in order to guarantee the security and stability in the region." On his part, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid expressed admiration of the king's deep knowledge of the situation in the Middle East and the world and the difficulties facing the region.

*Petra