His Majesty King Abdullah returned home on Thursday after he concluded an official visit to the US and Peru.

During his trip, King Abdullah took part in the 67th UN General Assembly session in New York and the third summit of South American and Arab Countries (ASPA) in Lima.

In his opening address at the General Assembly, the King warned against attempts to erase the Arab, Muslim, or Christian identity of Jerusalem or invade Al Aqsa Mosque, urging the international community to send a clear message to Israel that any such transgressions will not be tolerated.

Regarding the “tragic situation” in Syria, His Majesty stressed that “violence must end immediately and a transition must begin now.”

His Majesty noted that there is no alternative for a political solution that “will end the bloodshed, restore security and stability, and preserve the territorial integrity of Syria and the dignity and unity of its people”.

The King reiterated that the current challenges facing the world should not make the international community lose focus “on the crisis at the heart of the region” — the Palestinian cause.

The King strongly condemned any act that vilifies the name of Prophet Mohammad, Islam or any other religion or uses them to justify violence.

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, His Majesty held a series of meetings with a number of world leaders and heads of delegation taking part in the session, in addition to economic, intellectual and media figures in New York.

The King also met separately with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and UN-Arab League envoy to Syria Lakhdar Brahimi and discussed the Syrian crisis and its effect on the future of the region, highlighting the need to support Brahimi in his endeavours.

In an interview with the Daily Show’s Jon Stewart in New York, the King said the current challenge facing the Kingdom is to conduct elections that lead to a Parliament representing the people, then, the “Jordanian Summer” will begin and much more work will be needed with the start of the parliamentary government experience.

In his address at the plenary session of the third ASPA summit in Lima, His Majesty called for further cooperation between Arab and South American countries to give young men and women in both regions their “rightful share of global opportunity and a voice in shaping our world”.

The King outlined measures taken by Jordan to accelerate the comprehensive reform process that will lead to the election of a new Parliament by the beginning of next year.

His Majesty also appealed to South American nations to participate in the global efforts to stop the bloodshed in Syria. “Our goal must be to restore security and stability, and preserve the territorial integrity of Syria, the unity and dignity of its people.”

On the sidelines of the summit, the King held meetings with a number of South American leaders on means to boost cooperation in economic, investment, trade and industrial fields.