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Jordan’s King Abdullah, Palestine’s Abbas Discuss Joint Action ahead of UN Meetings

Jordan's King Abdullah II receives Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Amman, Jordan on Sunday, July 24, 2022. (Royal Court)
Jordan's King Abdullah II receives Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Amman, Jordan on Sunday, July 24, 2022. (Royal Court)
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Jordan’s King Abdullah, Palestine’s Abbas Discuss Joint Action ahead of UN Meetings

Jordan's King Abdullah II receives Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Amman, Jordan on Sunday, July 24, 2022. (Royal Court)
Jordan's King Abdullah II receives Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Amman, Jordan on Sunday, July 24, 2022. (Royal Court)

Jordan’s King Abdullah II held talks with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Amman on Sunday.

Both sides discussed the “available options,” in the absence of a concrete political horizon to advance a political process in the region and after US President Joe Biden’s failure in this regard.

King Abdullah underscored the importance of the joint Jordanian-Palestinian action at various levels to build on diplomatic activity in the region ahead of the United Nations General Assembly meetings in September.

He said Amman is keen to underline the significance of the Palestinian cause before the international community.

Discussions touched on the developments in the region, especially the upcoming Israeli elections and their impact on the chances of resuming peace negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis.

The two officials agreed to continue coordination to overcome the obstacles put by Israel on the King Hussein Bridge, causing traffic jams.

A well-informed Palestinian source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the two leaders have long been coordinating and evaluating the situation, exchanging views, and agreeing on work mechanisms, noting that this also took place during Sunday’s meeting.

The two officials have met ahead of Biden’s visit and agreed to propose a joint stance, according to the source.

However, due to Biden’s failure to advance a political horizon, both leaders decided to discuss the outcomes of his visit and the steps that should be taken.

The source pointed out that Biden didn’t want to pressure Israel, even in terms of the US promises to the Palestinians, including the opening of a consulate in Jerusalem.

The source said that coordination with Jordan is crucial, given its influential role in the region and with the Americans as well.

According to a statement by the Palestinian official news agency Wafa, Abbas briefed King Abdullah on the latest developments on the Palestinian cause, as well as the challenges facing Palestinians as a result of the Israeli occupation’s ongoing crimes.

“The two leaders discussed bilateral ties and common issues between the two brotherly countries, as well as the latest political developments in the region,” the agency said.

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Cairo May Request Extradition of Qaradawi’s Son from Abu Dhabi

Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)
Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)
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Cairo May Request Extradition of Qaradawi’s Son from Abu Dhabi

Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)
Umayyad Square in Damascus (Reuters)

As Lebanese authorities proceed with the deportation of Egyptian activist Abdel Rahman al-Qaradawi, the son of the late cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi, to the United Arab Emirates, an Egyptian source involved in the case told Asharq Al-Awsat that Cairo plans to formally request his extradition from Abu Dhabi once he arrives there.

Controversy has surrounded the case since Lebanon announced that the government had approved the deportation of Qaradawi to the UAE instead of Egypt, where he holds citizenship.

Former Lebanese Foreign Minister Adnan Mansour explained to Asharq Al-Awsat that citizenship is not an obstacle in extradition cases between countries, saying that a state may decide to extradite a person to another country even if they hold the nationality of a third state, as in the case of Qaradawi’s son.

According to Lebanese sources, the decision to extradite Qaradawi to the UAE is based on a warrant issued by the Council of Arab Interior Ministers. As a member of the council, Lebanon is obligated to comply with the UAE’s request, despite the absence of a direct bilateral extradition agreement between the two countries.

Additionally, the extradition decision was influenced by the fact that the charges against Qaradawi are criminal, not political, as political charges would prevent extradition and instead warrant protection under international conventions.

An Egyptian judicial source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the International Cooperation Office of Egypt’s Public Prosecutor had prepared a comprehensive file containing all rulings issued against Qaradawi to ensure that the extradition request met all legal requirements. This file was sent to Lebanese judicial authorities through official channels. However, Egypt has yet to receive a response from Lebanon, though one is expected in the coming days.

Dr. Mohammed Mahmoud Mehran, a member of the American and European societies for international law, told Asharq Al-Awsat that international law generally allows extradition when the individual is either a citizen of the requesting state, has committed a crime on its territory, or when the requesting state has a direct legal interest in the case.

As Qaradawi is an Egyptian citizen, Egypt “has the legal right to request his extradition under international law and bilateral agreements, provided all legal conditions are met,” Mehran said.

Meanwhile, Qaradawi’s lawyer, Mohammed Sablouh, confirmed plans to file an urgent appeal in Lebanese courts to prevent his client’s extradition, according to Reuters. Mehran explained that extradition laws grant the individual the right to appeal in court, while the requesting states also have the right to challenge decisions.

Mehran suggested that if Qaradawi is ultimately handed over to the UAE, it is highly likely he will later be extradited to Egypt after procedural requirements in the Emirates are fulfilled. This is due to the strong bilateral relations and close security coordination between Egypt and the UAE.

Abdel Rahman al-Qaradawi, who holds dual Egyptian and Turkish citizenship, was arrested in Lebanon on December 28 after returning from Syria. His arrest followed an Interpol red notice issued based on an in absentia ruling by an Egyptian court sentencing him to five years in prison for spreading false news, inciting violence, and terrorism. Before his arrest, Qaradawi appeared in a video filmed at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, where he made remarks considered offensive to both Egypt and the UAE.