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Ammon News - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi on Monday urged the international community to continue providing the necessary financial support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA).

Speaking at the UNRWA's Advisory Commission (AdCom) meeting, Safadi underlined the centrality of the agency's role in providing basic services to Palestinian refugees.

In the meeting, attended by representatives of UNRWA's 29 members and four observers, Safadi said that the agency is irreplaceable, and it must continue to provide its vital services to refugees in accordance with its UN mandate.

He stressed the necessity of reflecting the political support provided to the agency, demonstrated in the recent UN Fourth Committee vote to renew its mandate prior to the vote on its renewal in the General Assembly, into a sustainable financial support that would fill the financial deficit in its budget and enable it to continue serving the Palestinian refugees.

He said that the UNRWA's support represents support for the refugees' right to live in dignity and for efforts to establish security and stability.

Safadi urged the international community to diversify UNRWA's funding sources within a burden-sharing approach, and called on donors to make multi-year pledges and abide by them.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Safadi met with UNRWA Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini,underscored permanent and continuous coordination and covered ways to confront the challenges facing the agency.

The foreign minister said UNRWA must continue its work until the Palestinian refugee issue is resolved in accordance with relevant international references and resolutions, including Resolution No. 194, which guarantees the right to return and compensation, and within the two-state solution as the only way to achieve a just and comprehensive peace.

Lazzarini lauded Jordan's efforts in mobilizing international support for UNRWA, and working to provide it with sufficient funding.

The AdCom meets twice a year to discuss issues of concern to UNRWA, and to advise and assist the UNRWA Commissioner-General.

Lebanon presides over the AdCom current session.