Jordan urges unified Arab efforts to deal with Trump's Jerusalem move

Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi (R) shakes hands with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita during a meeting on Jerusalem in Amman, Jordan, on Jan. 6, 2018. King Abdullah II of Jordan on Saturday called for intensified Arab efforts to support the Palestinians following a decision by U.S. President Donald Trump recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, the state-run Petra news agency reported. In a press conference following a meeting of Arab foreign ministers in Amman, Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi reiterated the Arabs' rejection of the U.S. decision. (Xinhua/Mohammad Abu Ghosh)

AMMAN, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- King Abdullah II of Jordan on Saturdaycalled for intensified Arab efforts to support the Palestiniansfollowing a decision by U.S. President Donald Trump recognizingJerusalem as the capital of Israel, the state-run Petra news agencyreported.

At a meeting with several Arab foreign ministers, the king saidthere was a need for more efforts to support the rights of thePalestinians in preserving their legal and historic rights inJerusalem and in creating their independent state with EastJerusalem as its capital.

The Jordanian leader said the issue of Jerusalem should besettled through negotiations and as part of a lasting peace betweenthe Palestinians and the Israelis based on the two-state solution,the international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

He underlined the need for supporting the Jerusalemites andprotecting the Arabic identity of the city as well as the holyIslamic and Christian sites.

Jordan, he said, will continue to safeguard the holy sites inthe city.

Discussions also covered best means to face the consequences ofthe U.S. decision that violates international resolutions.

In a press conference following a meeting of Arab foreignministers in Amman, Jordanian Minister of Foreign Affairs AymanSafadi reiterated the Arabs' rejection of the U.S. decision.

Rejecting any Israeli unilateral measures, he said the Arabswill push for a global recognition of Palestine.

The minister added that the Arabs will exert more efforts tocurb any further recognitions of Jerusalem as the capital ofIsrael, adding that there will be no peace and security in theregion without creating an independent Palestinian state with EastJerusalem as its capital.

"The situation is difficult and we are taking well-studied steps... our message is that Arabs are committed to peace and that isthrough the two-state solution," said Safadi during theconference.

Arab League Secretary General Ahmad Aboul Gheit said during theconference that the Arab states made several successes at theSecurity Council and the UN General Assembly.

There are no options but to commit to peace and peace treaties,Aboul Gheit said, adding that the Arab foreign ministers discussedin their Amman meeting means to deal with the U.S. decision.Enditem