His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday received Qatar's Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim Ben Hamad Al Thani who paid a brief visit to Jordan accompanied by Hamas leader Khaled Mishaal.
During the meeting, held at the Royal Offices in Hummar in Amman, King Abdullah stressed his commitment to strengthening ties with Qatar in various fields in order to serve the interests of both countries.
Talks also focused on the latest regional developments. The two leaders agreed to continue consultation and coordination to enhance peace and stability in the region and serve Arab interests and issues.
Sheikh Tamim conveyed the greetings of Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad Ben Khalifa Al Thani to the King.
Hamas leader Kahled Mishaal joined the talks, in which His Majesty underlined Jordan’s support for the Palestinian National Authority’s efforts to realise the aspirations of the Palestinian people.
The King noted that negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis, with the support of the international community, are the only way to restore Palestinian rights.
His Majesty also stressed Jordan’s support for the Palestinian people’s right to establish their own independent state within the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital through negotiations that should be based on the two-state solution and international resolutions. This, he said, is a top priority for Jordan.
The King said Jordan will continue to carry out its duties towards the Palestinian people by providing Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip with needed assistance to alleviate their suffering and help them overcome their difficult situation.
In remarks to the press after the meeting, Mishaal said Hamas respects its ties with Jordan and respects all limits set to regulate these relations. He stressed that the intersecting Jordanian-Palestinian relations must be addressed in a manner that serves the historic ties between the two peoples and their national interests.
The Islamist movement’s politburo chief said Hamas categorically rejects the so-called alternative homeland and resettlement plan and insists on restoring the full rights of the Palestinian people, so that “Palestine will be Palestine and Jordan will be Jordan.”
Mishaal commended the visit’s timing, at the beginning of the year, voicing hope that it will be the first step to consolidate the deep ties with Jordan in the best interest of all parties. He added that Hamas was eager to develop “close and unique relations” with Jordan, noting that Hamas cares for Jordan’s security and stability.
Mishaal expressed appreciation for the King’s efforts to support Palestinians in Gaza, citing the Jordanian military field hospital deployed there. He also commended the Hashemite renovations of holy sites in Jerusalem.
His Majesty held a lunch banquet in honour of the Qatari crown prince, Mishaal and their accompanying delegations.