His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday said he did not expect a quick change in Syria, foreseeing instead a prolonged political upheaval in the Arab state.

In an interview with CNN’s Suzanne Kelly on the Arab Spring and Jordan’s role in the Middle East peace process, the King said: “I don’t expect change in Syria overnight.”

“I don’t see Syria going through many changes. I think what you’re seeing in Syria today, you will continue to see for a while longer… It’s a very complicated puzzle and there is no simple solution… I don’t think anybody has a clear answer on what to do about Syria.”

Responding to a question on Iran’s nuclear programme and the ongoing tension with the West, the King explained that the whole issue has to be addressed by keeping the “big picture” in mind, noting that the solution to the longstanding problem with Iran lies primarily in achieving peace in the Middle East and resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict.

“My answer to military options on Iran: If you solve the Israeli-Palestinian problem, then Iran is no longer a military problem for you,” His Majesty said.