His Majesty King Abdullah said Jordan's international relations serve Arab and Islamic interests, specifically the Palestinian cause, Jordan's top priority.

In an interview with the London-based Arabic daily newspaper Al Hayat newspaper, King Abdullah said: “I have a vision for Jordan and its future, and I will not accept anything less than the best for my country.”

“I am not… satisfied with performance that is not the best. I know my people, and I know the great things they are capable of achieving,” he added.

In the interview, conducted by Al Hayat Chief Editor Ghassan Charbel, King Abdullah said one of the greatest challenges he has faced as a leader is pessimism when working for change or to achieve major goals.

“The challenge is to look at the glass as half full, not half empty, and to fight this negativism,” the King told Charbel. “We are always so hard on ourselves, and there is always a lot of scepticism, a lot of negativity, and this is harmful.”

The King also encouraged all political currents and parties in the Kingdom to join the path to progress and serve national interests in accordance with the law. “What we want in general is to develop political life in Jordan so that everyone can contribute to our journey,” he noted.

“My priority is Jordan and achieving my people's interests. I am open to all points of view and opinions that set the national interest as the top priority,” he said.

“I have long called for the development of parties and mechanisms to facilitate the formation of groups on the basis of platforms that can agree and disagree within the law,” he added.

On parliamentary elections, King Abdullah said: “I look forward to the day when competition in legislative elections is between parties with clear political platforms and ideas.”

“This enriches the process and provides the pluralism that is necessary for any society and leads to the development of all work mechanisms in Parliament and government.”

In reply to a question as to whether government changes are a way to absorb crises, King Abdullah said such changes are not meant to manage crises but come “as a response to the requirements and priorities of a certain period.”

“Change is a way to help rectify errors and achieve the goals we want for Jordan's interest,” the King said. “It is not a goal in itself.”