His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday reiterated the importance of urging Palestinians and Israelis to resume negotiations to move forward in the peace process.
During a meeting with a delegation from the US National War College, the King called on the international community to intensify efforts in the coming phase to tackle the challenges that impede relaunching peace talks between the Palestinians and the Israelis, within a specified timeframe to accomplish tangible results.
His Majesty said Israel should realize that Arabs are serious in their peace offer, highlighting the importance of seizing this historic opportunity, embedded in the Arab Peace Initiative that Arab leaders readopted at the Arab summit in Riyadh last month.
Regarding the Iraqi issue, the King expressed his support for all efforts seeking to restore stability and security in the country. He also stressed the importance of supporting national reconciliation among all Iraqi groups.
In response to a question on fighting terrorism in the region, King Abdullah said the international community should join hands to fight this dangerous phenomenon. He also condemned attempts designed to associate Islam with terror.
King Abdullah pointed to the Amman Message that Jordan launched in 2004 to highlight the noble values of Islam.
He also acquainted the delegates with Jordan's efforts to develop the education sector and the significant steps taken over the past years to set a model for many Arab countries to benefit from the Kingdom's experience.
The delegates commended the King's efforts to achieve tangible progress in the Middle East peace process, as well as his efforts to modernize and develop the country.
Also on Sunday, the King received Portuguese President Mario Soares, who is in the Kingdom to attend the 15th annual conference of the Academy of Latinity.
Talk during the meeting covered bilateral ties and ways of promoting them in various fields, in addition to efforts exerted on the international level to achieve stability in the Middle East and push the peace process forward.
King Abdullah also received UAE Interior Minister Lt. General Sheikh Saif Ben Zayed Al Nahyan, who conveyed to His Majesty greetings from UAE President Sheikh Khalifeh Ben Zayed Al Nahyan.
The Jordan Times