His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday held talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, which focused on the latest efforts to achieve peace in the region.
During the meeting, King Abdullah congratulated Abbas on the success of Fateh Party's sixth congress, held recently in Bethlehem, and on his unanimous reelection as president of the party.
The King expressed hope that the Palestinian people would join ranks to achieve their aspirations and their right to an independent and viable state on Palestinian national soil.
King Abdullah expressed his support for the Palestinian people and said he will exert maximum effort to launch serious and effective negotiations to secure Palestinian national rights.
Talks also focused on steps that need to be taken to intensify efforts to relaunch negotiations, in accordance with international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
The King reiterated that Israel must stop all settlement activity and unilateral measures that obstruct the drive towards peace.
King Abdullah said it is important to provide an appropriate climate for the relaunch of negotiations leading to a comprehensive peace agreement that restores Arab rights and secures peace and stability in the region.
In a statement following the meeting, Abbas said talks addressed various topics, especially the Israeli settlement issue, noting that the King stressed in his talks with US and European leaders that the Arab stance in this regard is not subject to change, and that Israel must stop settlement activity in order to move the peace process forward.
During the meeting, Abbas also briefed the King on the outcome of the sixth Fateh conference, which was held for the first time on Palestinian soil earlier this month.
In reply to a question on the US position regarding settlement activity, Abbas said the US position has not changed.
“What we have heard previously is what we are hearing now, that Israel must stop all settlement activity and only after that will the final status negotiations begin,” he said.