Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - Jordan's Permanent Representative at the United Nations Dina Kawar said that Jordan has exerted major efforts through its membership in the Security Council to arrive at realistic solutions to conflicts in the Middle East.

Addressing a UN Security Council open debate on the Middle East, Kawar said that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was central and condemned Israel’s continuing occupation, displacement of Palestinians and settlement activity, which undermined efforts for peace.

Noting the great challenges and fear throughout the Middle East, she asked whether the international community was doing enough to help bring about peace. Reiterating support for the Arab Peace Initiative towards a definitive solution to the conflict, she also noted Jordan's defence of the holy sites in Jerusalem, in its role as custodian.

Kawar demanded an end to harmful Israeli practices in all the occupied Palestinian territories.

On Syria, she called for redoubled efforts to ensure the success of talks to initiate a political transition and restore stability. "Jordan would continue to live up to its commitment to assist refugees, she pledged, but it needed the international community’s support.

There was also need to take action against terrorism; international efforts must address its root causes, she added, emphasizing that the terrorists did not represent Islam but, on the contrary, subverted that as well as all other religions. Young people must be further engaged in fighting such extremism, she said.