His Majesty King Abdullah II condemned today the assassination of Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmad Yasin by the Israeli authorities. In a statement to Petra, the Jordanian news agency, His Majesty said that this is a crime that will only lead to further escalation, violence and instability in the region.



King Abdullah said we feel resentment and pain as a result of the turnout of events despite the relentless efforts, which we have exerted with all parties concerned including the Israeli government to dissuade it from the continuation of its policy of military escalation.



King Abdullah urged the Israeli government to halt the escalation and to put an end to their assassination policy. Stressing that security and stability will not be achieved until the Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Palestinian territories, the return to the negotiation table and adhering to the principles of a just and comprehensive peace.



King Abdullah called on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities, to act to restore the peace process back on track and to save the region from the current state of violence, which cannot continue.