King: Unless the Arabs unite positions, the world will seek an alternative negotiating partner

13 September 2006
Amman , Jordan

The world will find another party to negotiate with on behalf of the Arabs unless they unify their position and enhance their solidarity to confront challenges in Palestine, Iraq and Lebanon, His Majesty King Abdullah said.

Responding to a question raised by youth participating in the ''We are all Jordan Youth Forum'' through the Forum's website, King Abdullah said the Arabs should address the world in one language, expressing belief that the Arab leaders would unify positions and adopt decisions that achieve aspirations of peoples and guarantee rights of the Arab nation.

The King noted that the absence of a just settlement of the Palestinian issue was the core of regional conflict, stressing that a just and lasting solution to this conflict should top the priorities of Arab leaders and peoples and the world.

"I look forward to the day when your Palestinian brothers enjoy freedom, security and stability and participate effectively in building their country and in the Arab renaissance,'' the King added, noting the efforts exerted to find a just and lasting settlement for the Palestinian issue, based on the restoration of the Palestinian rights and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

The King said the moment should be seized to resolve the conflict in Palestine and warned that this opportunity could be the last.

Efforts are underway to re-launch the Arab Peace Initiative, calling for finding a settlement for the Palestinian issue, which is the core of conflict in the region. Speaking about domestic affairs, King Abdullah emphasized the importance of providing education and job opportunities for all Jordanians.

''Efforts exerted over the past seven years have fruitful, and we achieved tangible progress and several achievements, such as creating job opportunities, attracting investments and training and qualifying youth," the King said.

He noted that many aspirations have yet to be fulfilled, however, and said a serious and faithful effort to fight poverty and unemployment and improve living standards must continue.

In his address to the closing session of the two-day forum King Abdullah told the youth gathered at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Center that he is interested in the working program and the recommendations of the event, and stressed that youth had an important role to play in the development process and shaping the country's future. He said that training youth and providing them with job opportunities topped his interests.