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King Abdullah greets Mitchell
Photo: AP

Jordan king tells Mitchell Israel must end settlement building

King Abdullah meets with US special envoy George Mitchell, says Obama's 'stances are creating a positive environment' but warns Israel must stop annexing land in east Jerusalem

Jordan's King Abdullah urged Israel and Palestinians on Thursday to build on the momentum generated by US President Barack Obama's peace drive to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict.

 

"The US president's stances are creating a positive environment that needs to be built on by all the parties

to reach a comprehensive and permanent solution to the conflict," a palace statement quoted the monarch telling George Mitchell, Obama's special envoy to the Middle East.

 

"The US role is crucial in the efforts to reach peace and attain stability in the region," he told Mitchell, adding that Obama's address on June 4 to the Muslim world from Cairo "embodied important messages," including the endorsement of a two-state solution.

 

The two-state solution, which is backed by Arab states but not by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was the only way to bring a lasting peace, the monarch said.

 

"The setting up of an independent Palestinian state based on a two-state solution is the only path to attaining peace and stability in the region," the monarch was quoted as saying.

 

Netanyahu has not publicly endorsed Palestinian statehood and has said 'natural growth' will continue in

existing settlements.

 

King Abdullah also told Mitchell Israel must end settlement building, stop confiscating Arab property in East Jerusalem, and end efforts to annex lands seized in the Six Day War.

 

Mitchell, on the latest leg of his mission on a tour that takes him also to Lebanon, Syria and Egypt, said he discussed with the monarch how "to bring a swift renewal of peace talks," based on a 2003 peace road map that commits Israel to halting settlements expansion and Palestinians to reining in armed groups.

 


פרסום ראשון: 06.11.09, 19:45
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