Jordan's King: Regional Security Cannot Be Achieved without a Palestinian State

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomes King Abdullah II of Jordan ahead of a meeting in Ramallah in the West Bank, on March 28, 2022. (AFP)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomes King Abdullah II of Jordan ahead of a meeting in Ramallah in the West Bank, on March 28, 2022. (AFP)
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Jordan's King: Regional Security Cannot Be Achieved without a Palestinian State

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomes King Abdullah II of Jordan ahead of a meeting in Ramallah in the West Bank, on March 28, 2022. (AFP)
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas welcomes King Abdullah II of Jordan ahead of a meeting in Ramallah in the West Bank, on March 28, 2022. (AFP)

Jordan's King Abdullah II assured Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that Amman will always support Palestine, despite all challenges.

Meeting Abbas in Ramallah, King Abdullah asserted that security and stability could not be achieved in the region without just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, which guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state according to the June 4, 1967 lines with East Jerusalem as its capital.

King Abdullah's visit to Ramallah is his first in five years amid rising tensions. He met Abbas after the latter met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who led a ministerial meeting in Israel that included his Egyptian, Emirati, Bahraini, Moroccan, and Israeli counterparts.

The King called for ending all unilateral Israeli measures, especially in Jerusalem, which undermines the prospects of achieving comprehensive and lasting peace, stressing that the goal is to have a Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel in peace and security.

The monarch noted that Jordan would continue all efforts to preserve Jerusalem's historical and legal status quo and safeguard its Islamic and Christian holy sites under the Hashemite Custodianship.

During the talks, the monarch emphasized the importance of giving the Palestinian cause the required international momentum to avoid being eclipsed by other recent crises.

Abbas welcomed King Abdullah, who was accompanied by Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, saying: "We want to keep constant communication, whether through visits or contacts between us."

Abbas stressed that Jordan and Palestine share common interests, concerns, and hopes, underlining the importance of such visits.

He emphasized that "we never forget that the Jordanian position on the Palestinian issue is a Palestinian position, and we know that your Majesty's instructions that everything related to Palestine is not revised, but implemented immediately."

The meeting addressed recent developments in the Palestinian Territories and the need to maintain calm and stability, especially during the holy fasting month of Ramadan that begins in early April. They also stressed the importance of respecting the rights of Muslims to worship at al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem without provocation or interference.

They discussed the importance of working with all sides to avoid any escalation that could undermine the prospects of achieving peace.

Talks also covered joint regional projects and means to allow Palestinian participation, especially in projects related to food security and mitigating the repercussions of the Ukraine crisis on the region.



Aoun: The Lebanese Are Exhausted and Cannot Endure Another War

President Joseph Aoun welcomes Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian at the presidential palace in Baabda on Thursday. (Lebanese Presidency)
President Joseph Aoun welcomes Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian at the presidential palace in Baabda on Thursday. (Lebanese Presidency)
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Aoun: The Lebanese Are Exhausted and Cannot Endure Another War

President Joseph Aoun welcomes Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian at the presidential palace in Baabda on Thursday. (Lebanese Presidency)
President Joseph Aoun welcomes Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian at the presidential palace in Baabda on Thursday. (Lebanese Presidency)

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun declared on Thursday that the country stands at a critical crossroads, stressing that unity, cooperation, and solidarity are essential to navigating the current phase.

“The Lebanese are tired,” Aoun said, “and they can no longer bear another war. We do not want to drag the country into more bloodshed. We have significant opportunities ahead, especially with our Arab brothers extending a hand. We must seize these chances and lift Lebanon out of its current state.”

He made his comments during a meeting with Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdul Latif Derian, who was accompanied by a delegation of regional muftis, at the Baabda presidential palace. The gathering also included Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

Aoun voiced concern over some political actors who, he said, “lack a sense of responsibility and insist on spreading groundless rumors and fostering a negative atmosphere.”

He emphasized the important contributions of all Lebanese communities, particularly the Sunni community, which he said brings “two vital values to Lebanon: internal moderation and a firm affirmation of Lebanon’s Arab identity.”

In turn, Derian expressed his full support for Aoun, praising him as “a symbol of Lebanese unity and guardian of the Taif Agreement and the Constitution.”

He stressed that only national unity and adherence to state institutions can protect Lebanon at this critical juncture.

Derian condemned ongoing Israeli violations, calling for the full implementation of UN Resolution 1701, which he said has only been honored by the Lebanese side.

“Instead of proposing new agreements, we should insist on applying all provisions of this resolution,” he said.

Following the meeting, Derian echoed Berri’s optimism that the situation in the country is heading in a positive direction, despite public concern. He described Berri as a “genuine national guarantor” working diligently to protect Lebanon from war and resolve ongoing crises.

“We are optimistic and confident that any challenges can only be overcome through unity,” he added. “At Dar al-Fatwa, our message is clear: we speak not in sectarian terms, but in the language of national inclusion.”