Jordanian King Hails Strategic Partnership With Gulf States

 Jordanian King Abdullah II met Tuesday with GCC Secretary General Nayef Al Hajraf at Al Husseiniya Palace (Petra news agency)
Jordanian King Abdullah II met Tuesday with GCC Secretary General Nayef Al Hajraf at Al Husseiniya Palace (Petra news agency)
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Jordanian King Hails Strategic Partnership With Gulf States

 Jordanian King Abdullah II met Tuesday with GCC Secretary General Nayef Al Hajraf at Al Husseiniya Palace (Petra news agency)
Jordanian King Abdullah II met Tuesday with GCC Secretary General Nayef Al Hajraf at Al Husseiniya Palace (Petra news agency)

Jordanian King Abdullah II stressed Tuesday Jordan’s keenness to continue bolstering cooperation and strengthening the strategic partnership with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, especially in food and water security.

During a meeting Tuesday with GCC Secretary General Nayef Al Hajraf at Al Husseiniya Palace, the King reiterated his support for the outcomes of the 41st GCC Summit hosted by Saudi Arabia, which contributed to enhancing solidarity and stability in the Gulf Arab region, lauding the efforts of the GCC secretary general in that regard.

The meeting covered the latest Arab and regional developments, foremost of which is the Palestinian cause, with the King reaffirming the need to reach just and comprehensive peace on the basis of the two-state solution and in line with the Arab Peace Initiative, international law, and relevant UN resolutions.

King Abdullah also noted the importance of unifying the Arab front to counter challenges, and intensifying efforts to bolster joint Arab action, stressing Jordan’s support for efforts to advance Arab and Islamic causes.

For his part, Hajraf expressed appreciation for Jordan’s important role, under the King’s leadership, in promoting Arab solidarity and cooperation, noting the keenness of GCC leaders to enhance collaboration with Jordan.

On Tuesday, Hajraf also held talks with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on activating the strategic dialogue between Jordan and the GCC member states.

The two officials emphasized the importance of translating the "historical brotherly ties" between Jordan and the Gulf states into effective cooperation that would advance their joint interests and push forward natural integration.

Safadi and Hajraf also highlighted the proceedings of AlUla Summit and recommendations to support stability and boost development in Jordan and intensify efforts to implement the joint action plans that were agreed on within the framework of the strategic partnership between the Kingdom and the GCC.

Late on Monday, a Jordanian-GCC joint committee held talks on advancing cooperation between Amman and the Gulf.

Talks touched on ways to coordinate efforts aimed at implementing joint action plans within the strategic partnership framework, as agreed upon by both sides, a statement by the FM said.

The meeting, held via videoconference, was chaired by the Ministry's Secretary General Yousef Batayneh, and the Undersecretary of Regional & GCC Affairs, Waheed Mubarak Sayya.



Israel Asks Diplomats to Seek Houthis' Listing as Terrorists

Houthi supporters hold up weapons during an anti-US and anti-Israel protest in Sanaa, Yemen, 20 December 2024. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
Houthi supporters hold up weapons during an anti-US and anti-Israel protest in Sanaa, Yemen, 20 December 2024. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
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Israel Asks Diplomats to Seek Houthis' Listing as Terrorists

Houthi supporters hold up weapons during an anti-US and anti-Israel protest in Sanaa, Yemen, 20 December 2024. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
Houthi supporters hold up weapons during an anti-US and anti-Israel protest in Sanaa, Yemen, 20 December 2024. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB

Israel has instructed its diplomatic missions in Europe to try to get the Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen designated as a terrorist organization.

"The Houthis pose a threat not only to Israel but also to the region and the entire world. The first and most basic thing to do is to designate them as a terrorist organization," Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said in a statement.

The Houthis have repeatedly fired drones and missiles towards Israel in what the group describes as acts of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.

The Israeli military said on Tuesday it intercepted a projectile launched from Yemen. It was the third time in a week that fire from Yemen set off sirens in Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told lawmakers on Monday that he had ordered the country's military to destroy the Houthi infrastructure in Yemen.