Ammon News - AMMONNEWS - His Majesty King Abdullah II, on Wednesday, held two separate meetings with US Congress leaders in Washington, DC, including the leadership of the House of Representatives and the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee.

The two meetings, which were attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania, tackled regional developments, mainly g the Mideast peace process, the Syrian crisis, efforts to fight terrorism as well as means of boosting bilateral ties.

Leaders of the US lawmakers valued Jordan's stance towards regional issues, foremost of which was the Syrian crisis and maintaining the ceasefire, as well as fighting terrorism efforts and the potential consequences of moving the US embassy to Jerusalem.

They also appreciated the King's views on means to further push Middle East peace efforts forward and discussed means of boosting US support to Jordan.

His Majesty also highlighted regional issues that he considers as priorities for the coming phase to ensure stability and solve conflicts and crises.

Tackling the Palestinian cause, the King called for avoiding policies that may add to the already growing frustration among the Palestinian people due to the halt in peace efforts.

Regarding the issue of moving the US embassy to Jerusalem, His Majesty stressed the need to consider the consequences of such a decision and the anger it could cause among Palestinians, Arabs and Muslims.

Moving the embassy, he said, could also pose risks to the two-state solution and would be used as a pretext by terrorists to strengthen their footholds.

Dealing to the threat of terrorism, His Majesty said this scourge is not limited to the Arab region, noting that terrorism in the Middle East is closely connected to terrorist attacks and acts occurred in different parts of the world.

He added that terrorists neither represent Islam nor its tolerant teachings, highlighting the importance of cooperation to solve the region’s issues, especially the Palestinian cause and the Syrian crisis, so as to counter terrorists’ attempts to spread terror to the rest of the globe and present it as war between Muslims and the West.

His Majesty reiterated that terrorism is not limited to certain nationalities or a specific foreign party; rather, it often comes from within the targeted countries and regions, especially if some minorities or groups feel marginalized and isolated.

The King said that Muslims are the first victims of terrorism, noting that the acts of outlaws of Islam (Al-khawarij) do not represent Islam in any way.

The King advised against any measures that would be exploited by terrorists to a situation of anger, frustration and desperation, which a fertile ground where extremist ideologies spread.

He highlighted the role of education in the region so as to empower its peoples and build their prosperous future.

With regard to the Syrian issue, His Majesty said that sustaining the agreed-on ceasefire is essential to guarantee the security of the Syrian people and the launch of the peace process. In this regard, Jordan supports efforts, including the recent Astana conference on Syria and considers the Russian role a vital one, he said.

King Abdullah stressed the importance of cooperation between the US, Russia and the international community to sustain the ceasefire in preparation for a political solution on the basis of Geneva’s conferences.

During the two meetings, the King outlined challenges face his country due to regional crises and hosting a large number of refugees, coupled with a tough economic situation and a remedial fiscal programme that needs more aid from the international community.

Talks also tackled renewing the memorandum of understanding governing cooperation between the two countries and the US medium-term economic and military aid.

The congress leaders and members of Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee said that it is hard to see the region without Jordan’s pivotal role and His Majesty’s leadership, which, present wise policies that contribute to security and stability efforts in the Middle East.

The two meetings were attended by Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, King’s Office Director Jafar Hassan and the Jordanian Ambassador to the US Dina Kawar .

Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), who chairs the Senate’s subcommittee on appropriations for the State Department, said the King is respected by Democrats and Republicans alike, adding that "When His Majesty talks, Graham added, America listens." Discussions also included a review of the US’ memorandum of understanding with Jordan, the senator said, noting that the Kingdom is one of the countries that the US has pledged to assist.

He expressed the Senate's desire to increase the aid offered to Jordan due to the increasing burden caused by hosting Syrian refugees. He stressed that Jordan represents the gateway to resolving issues in the Middle East.

In Jordan, Graham said:" you have a King, who is making his best to empower his people, believing that peace requires inclusiveness, consensus and religious tolerance and commitment as well." The US needs to invest more in Jordan, the senator added, expressing his desire to seek a substantial increase to the aid presented to the Kingdom in the economic and military areas.

Member of the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, Ben Cardin (D-Maryland), said the meeting was an opportunity to speak to King Abdullah, adding that " His Majesty is a great leader not only in Jordan but in the whole region." The King’s and the people of Jordan commitment to fighting extremism is highly encouraging, Cardin noted, adding that talks with the King were open, addressing US-Jordanian ties and means to combat terrorism and put the peace process back on its track.

Cardin said Jordan is committed to hosting over 1.2 million refugees, which has a major impact on the Kingdom’s economy.

Voicing US appreciation for Jordan’s efforts, he said the international community must assist the Kingdom to enable it to fulfill its commitment towards the refugees.

President of the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, Bob Crocker (R-Tennessee) said that in spite of the issues Jordan faces, manily the Syrian refugee crisis, the budget deficit and the decline in tourism, the King is still the leader that the US officials want to hear from, on how to deal the region’s issues in general.

King Abdullah offers an approach to be followed in dealing with the region, Croker said, adding that His Majesty is a valued friend of the US and so is Jordan as a state and a people.

He concluded that King Abdullah, when visiting the US, shares a valuable knowledge, expressing pleasure over receiving him at this time.