Ammon News -

The Arab League held a non-ordinary session at the ministerial level on Monday to discuss the region and the Palestinian cause and keep the participants appraised of the latest developments.

Jordan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ayman Safadi, emphasized the centrality and importance of the Palestinian cause, and he reiterated that fair and lasting peace is preconditioned on ending the Israeli occupation of Palestinian lands.

Safadi, who is also deputy prime minister, said Jordan has placed all its resources to protect the Islamic and Christian sanctities in the occupied city of Jerusalem. He emphasized the importance of joint Arab action to lead on addressing regional crises that Arabs suffer from their consequences.

He noted that there should be concerted efforts to reinvigorate the peace talks and activate the role of the Quartet on the Middle East to reach a two-state solution that would guarantee the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital.

A two-state solution, he explained would be in line with the pertinent international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

"We need continued action to mobilize an effective international position that stands against the Israeli actions that deprive the region of its right in fair and comprehensive peace," Safadi said.

He stressed that Israeli settlements in the occupied West Banks are a "flagrant" violation of international law that kill any prospects for a two-state solution, making the one-state solution inevitable. A one-state solution would create a racist and an "apartheid" regime.

On the Israeli authorities' attempts to change the status quo in occupied Jerusalem, he said the violations against religious holy sites in the city constitute a "violation of international law and a provocation of the feelings of hundreds of millions of Muslims and Christians."

He noted the necessity of joint Arab action to protect Jerusalem and support its people in protecting their lands, underscoring that the Islamic and Christian holy sites are under the Hashemite Custodianship.

Jordan supports the intra-Palestinian reconciliation efforts, Safadi said, praising Egypt for its role to that end.

He also highlighted the importance of the continued flow of financial and diplomatic support for the United Nations Relief and Work Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) so that it continues providing its vital services to millions of Palestinians.

On the Arab League's role in serving the Arab interests, Safadi said that strengthening the pan-Arab organization serves all member states, describing it as an "umbrella for joint Arab action." He urged the member states to develop the organization and strengthen its institutions.

On Syria, he called for drawing up a new mechanism that would allow for an Arab leading role that would usher the end of Arab absence in tackling Arab crises.

He also expressed solidarity with Iraq in upholding its security and stability. He voiced support for the Iraqi government's efforts to that end, praising Iraq for its victory over terror groups. He noted that protecting Iraq and its sovereignty is a precondition for regional security and stability.

Security in the Gulf region is a "bedrock" for the overall Arab security, he said, reiterating that the Kingdom stands in support of the GCC countries in their efforts to uphold their security and uphold their interests.

He said that tension between the Gulf states and Iran could only be eased by addressing its reasons, chief of which is the foreign intervention in the internal affairs of the Arab states.

Safadi noted that there is a breakthrough in the efforts to settle the Libyan crisis through electing a cabinet in Geneva. Also, he highlighted that there is a chance to settle the Yemeni crisis, emphasizing that these efforts must be supported.