Jordanian, Palestinian leadership discuss stalled Mideat peace process

King Abdullah II held talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Amman on Wednesday on developments related to Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations. A Royal Court statement said the meeting came within the continued coordination and consultations between the two leaderships especially at this critical stage where a negotiating framework is being crystallized between the Palestinians and Israelis sponsored by the United States. The King reiterated Jordan's support to the Palestinians' legitimate rights in establishing their independent and viable Palestinian state as per the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative and stemming form the historical ties between the Jordanian and Palestinian peoples. The King, who was briefed by president Abbas on the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations as well as Abbas's meetings with US Secretary of State John Kerry, highlighted the importance of protecting the rights of the Palestinian people. He added that protecting Jordan's higher interests is a top priority especially when it comes to final status issues. For his part, the Palestinian president stressed his keenness to continue contacts and coordination with Jordan and praised Jordan's support to the Palestinian people to regain their legitimate rights. He also hailed efforts of the King in urging the international community and all parties concerned in the peace process to support a just and a comprehensive solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.