King Abdullah II of Jordan on Tuesday held talks with the Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert who made a two-hour visit to Jordan. The monarch also phoned Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during which they discussed the situation in the Palestinian lands.
A Royal Court source told Petra news agency that the King briefed Abbas on his talks with Olmert and agreed to continue coordination with the Palestinian National Authority to discuss means of pushing the peace process forward.
“Jordan was ready to do its utmost to help the Palestinians to overcome their differences and enhance unity among Palestinians,” the source added, noting all options were open for Jordan including an invitation to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Hanieyh to visit Amman and discuss means of ending political tension between Fatah and Hamas.
King Abdullah expressed Jordan’s keenness to end bloodshed and clashes among Palestinian factions.
Meanwhile, the source said Olmert arrived in Amman upon a request by the king. During the meeting, the King said it was important for the Israelis to hold negotiations with the Palestinians to re-launch the peace process.
His said solving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict will come once the two sides are convinced that they are partners in a process that would not have results except through negotiations and the implementation of international commitments. The king warned that wasting time, trading accusations from time to time, and hesitating to take measures that would enhance peace opportunities, will lead the region to a cycle of violence that will affect all.
