Netanyahu. Visit to Amman
Photo: Amos Ben Gershom, GPO
Abdullah. Reiterated his stand
Photo: AP
Netanyahu, Abdullah discuss peace talks
Prime minister meets with Jordanian king, senior officials in Amman. Abdullah recently said Israel isolated 'like North Korea'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
on Tuesday met with Jordan's
King Abdullah in Amman. Jordanian media reported that the two leaders discussed ways to move the peace process forward based on the two-state solution.
Abdullah reiterated his stand that only peace could bring security and stability to the Middle East, the reports said. He called on all parties not to engage in moves which could "harm the aspiration for two states, which is a basic condition for creating regional stability."
According to the report, the two also discussed moves which could lead to an optimistic atmosphere between Israel and the Palestinians in a bid to launch direct negotiations instead of the current proximity talks.
Accusations
King Abdullah tells Wall Street Journal Israel 'more worried about us being economically independent than issue of nuclear energy'; claims relations at lowest point since peace agreement
Jordanian Prime Minister Samir Rifai, Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh, intelligence chief Mohammad Rakkad and the king's chief of staff and advisor attended the meeting as well.
Nir Hefetz, head of the National Information Directorate, said the meeting between Netanyahu and Abdullah lasted about two hours. He said it was "thorough and focused on the need to advance peace, security and prosperity in the region.
"The two leaders discussed the need to hold direct, effective and serious negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians on all issues, in order to reach a stable, safe and durable peace settlement of two states for two people."
Tuesday's meeting is particularly important in light of the Jordanian king's past statement that Israel is "isolated like North Korea" and his concern that a "political vacuum" could lead to a regional war."
In his recent visit to Washington, earlier this month, Netanyahu expressed his concern over a possible "eastern front" against Israel. During a meeting with US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Netanyahu warned of the day after the Americans withdraw from Iraq, with Jordan separating between Israel, Iraq and Iran.
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