His Majesty King Abdullah returned home on Thursday after a working visit to Paris and New York.

In New York, the King delivered a speech at the Plenary Session of the 69th General Assembly of the United Nations, attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah, during which King Abdullah called for a comprehensive approach to address the security situation in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon.

His Majesty also took part in the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) opening panel discussions, which focused on challenges facing countries to create better opportunities for the younger generation, especially in the Middle East.

The King also met with world leaders on the sidelines of the General Assembly meetings.

King Abdullah, in the presence of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah, met with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Peruvian President Ollanta Humala, Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider Al Abadi, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

At the meetings, His Majesty discussed regional developments, including the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, the Syrian refugee crisis, the unrest in Iraq and efforts to rebuild Gaza.

On Tuesday, the King attended a summit — hosted by US President Barack Obama in New York — of the coalition of countries participating in efforts to confront terrorism in the region.

King Abdullah also met with Iraq’s President Fouad Massoum to discuss increasing cooperation.

Massoum thanked Jordan for its support to Iraq in its efforts to overcome various challenges and arrive at a better future for the Iraqi people.

At a meeting with Lebanese Prime Minister Tammam Salam, His Majesty and the Lebanese official reviewed regional developments and means to strengthen ties between the two nations.

Discussions also covered challenges facing the region and ways to confront radicalism.

King Abdullah also met with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, and discussed ties and the latest regional developments.

The King also met with David Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, with whom he reviewed efforts to deal with the issue of Syrian refugees hosted in neighbouring countries, as well as Jordan’s relief efforts in this context.

In Paris, His Majesty held meetings with French President François Hollande, Prime Minister Manuel Valls, President of French National Assembly Claude Bartolone and French Senate President Jean-Pierre Bel.

Discussions focused on means to enhance Jordanian-French cooperation and also covered regional and international issues.

The King also met with leading clerics in France and discussed their role and responsibilities as pillars of peace to disseminate values of tolerance and coexistence among the followers of the Abrahmic religions.

King Abdullah briefed them on Jordan’s efforts to defend Islam and refute negative attitudes towards Muslims that have emerged in the West as a result of the actions of extremist groups.

The scholars stressed the need to boost dialogue and focus on the joint commonalities between followers of different religions.