His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday reiterated that Jordan will continue playing its role as a custodian of Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem and supporting the Palestinian people as they face Israeli unilateral measures aimed at altering the Arab identity of the holy city.

His Majesty made the remarks during a meeting with Patriarch of the Holy City of Jerusalem and all Palestine and Jordan Kerios Theophilos III, on whom the King bestowed Al Nahda Medal of the First Order.

The honour came in recognition of the patriarch’s efforts to support Jordan’s endeavours to protect holy sites in Jerusalem.

His Majesty warned that Israeli settlement measures impede chances to achieve peace and relaunch negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis based on the two-state solution, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on Palestinian national soil.

Patriarch Theophilos commended the King’s “historical” role in safeguarding Jerusalem’s holy sites, citing the agreement signed between the King and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on March 31, which reaffirms the Monarch’s role as the custodian of the sites.

In a related development, Abbas voiced appreciation of continued Jordanian support for the Palestinians.

He told visiting members of the Lower House Palestine Committee that coordination between the Kingdom and the Palestinian leadership is continuous over issues of mutual concern, especially the peace process.

He stressed that Jordan’s stability and security are of strategic importance to Palestine.