His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday underscored the important role of US-based Arab and Muslim organisations in supporting the US administration’s efforts to push the Middle East peace process forward.

During a meeting with the organisations’ representatives in Washington, King Abdullah urged them to intensify their efforts in support of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost of which is the right to establish an independent state, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The King noted that resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict must be the top priority of the global political agenda.

Commending the organisations’ role in highlighting Arab causes and building bridges of understanding between the Arab and the Muslim worlds and the West, the King highlighted the Kingdom’s reform drive.

He said Jordan is on the right track to meet the aspirations of Jordanians’ for a better present and future.

Pointing out that 70 per cent of Jordanians are below the age of 30, King Abdullah said reform programmes must take the needs of this demographic into account.

He also discussed the mission of the National Dialogue Committee and the committee reviewing the Constitution, voicing confidence that the outcome of these discussions will positively reflect on political life in the Kingdom.

Responding to a question on the Kingdom’s bid to join the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the King said Jordan’s GCC membership will strengthen Jordanian-Gulf relations and build an integral and strategic partnership that serves the mutual interests of Jordan and the Gulf countries.

It is also a step towards boosting Arab solidarity, the King said.