Foreign Minister Holds Onto Jordan's Initiative on Syrian Crisis

Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi (Reuters)
Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi (Reuters)
TT

Foreign Minister Holds Onto Jordan's Initiative on Syrian Crisis

Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi (Reuters)
Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi (Reuters)

Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ayman Safadi, affirmed his country's ongoing efforts to find a political solution to the Syrian crisis through the Jordanian initiative.

Safadi explained that Jordan's efforts stem from the direct Arab role of engaging with Syria in a political dialogue to solve the crisis and its security and political ramifications.

The foreign minister met with the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, and affirmed Jordan's full coordination with the UN regarding the initiative and sharing its details with international organizations.

They also addressed coordinating efforts to provide humanitarian aid after the devastating earthquakes that struck Syria and Türkiye.

Safadi indicated that the meeting discussed the initiative based on direct Arab coordination and engagement and its launch date with the aim of serious Arab action to resolve the Syrian crisis.

The crisis in Syria must not continue, and the political solution is the key to ending it, said Safadi, adding that as Arab countries, they must be at the forefront of the dialogue, and the repercussions of the crisis affect all.

He reiterated Jordan's support for the efforts of the UN envoy to reach a political solution to the crisis under Security Council Resolution 2254.

Pedersen reviewed the UN efforts to reach a political solution to the crisis in Syria, stressing the importance of continued cooperation between the Kingdom and the UN.

He praised the great humanitarian role of the Kingdom in providing aid to Syria after the recent earthquakes, hosting Syrian refugees, and providing them with a decent life.

In a separate meeting, Safadi discussed with Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the UN Martin Griffiths the situation in Syria, the ongoing cooperation in helping Syrians following the recent earthquakes, and the challenges resulting from the decline in international support for Syrian refugees and the host countries.

Safadi stressed that Jordan continues to help Syria and Türkiye cope with the consequences of the recent earthquakes that struck the two countries last February, underscoring that Amman would continue to send aid to the two countries.

Griffiths commended the Kingdom's efforts in hosting refugees and assisting those affected by earthquakes.



Palestinian Government Says It's Ready to Run the Gaza Strip and the West Bank

 This picture taken from the Israeli side of the border with the Gaza Strip shows an afternoon view of destroyed buildings in Gaza, on January 20, 2025, following a ceasefire deal a day earlier between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas group. (AFP)
This picture taken from the Israeli side of the border with the Gaza Strip shows an afternoon view of destroyed buildings in Gaza, on January 20, 2025, following a ceasefire deal a day earlier between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas group. (AFP)
TT

Palestinian Government Says It's Ready to Run the Gaza Strip and the West Bank

 This picture taken from the Israeli side of the border with the Gaza Strip shows an afternoon view of destroyed buildings in Gaza, on January 20, 2025, following a ceasefire deal a day earlier between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas group. (AFP)
This picture taken from the Israeli side of the border with the Gaza Strip shows an afternoon view of destroyed buildings in Gaza, on January 20, 2025, following a ceasefire deal a day earlier between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas group. (AFP)

The Palestinian government says it is ready to take responsibility for running the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and is committed to managing crossing points in collaboration with the European Union and Egypt.
The Palestinian minister of state for foreign affairs, Varsen Aghabekian, told a ministerial meeting of the UN Security Council on Monday on Gaza that the government welcomes any assistance to train and equip the Palestinian police and security forces. She also called for urgent humanitarian aid, The Associated Press said.
She expressed hope that the six-week ceasefire will lead to a final ceasefire and lay the foundations for a political track to end Israel’s occupation within a year as called for by the International Court of Justice, the UN’s highest tribunal.
Israel’s political coordinator, Reut Shapir Ben Naftaly, told the council “This war will not end until every hostage is returned and Hamas’ ability to terrorize is dismantled.”
She said the Middle East stands at “a turning point” where Iran’s proxies Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon have suffered “devastating losses” and its “network of terror” including the Houthis in Yemen have faced significant setbacks.
Ben Naftaly said Israel has no interest in a conflict with Syria “but we will not tolerate a situation that endangers our civilians, allows Iran to re-establish itself in the region, and transfer weapons to Hezbollah.”