King Abdullah II
Photo: AP
Jordan urges push on two-state solution
King Abdullah II visits Washington ahead of meeting with US President Obama, meets with Jewish, Muslim and Arab groups, says support in two-state solution imperative to realizing comprehensive Middle East peace
US President Barack Obama is planning to discuss the stalled Middle East peace talks with King Abdullah II of Jordan when the monarch visits Washington next week, the White House said Wednesday.
The April 21 visit, previously announced by the king's palace in Amman, will focus on "the pursuit of a comprehensive peace in the Middle East, including moving forward with the Arab Peace Initiative," the White House said in a statement.
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In Amman, the palace said in a statement released Sunday that the summit "will focus on efforts to reach a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and realize comprehensive Middle East peace."
The concept of a two-state solution, which would see a viable Palestinian state existing alongside a secure Israel, is central to Obama's Middle East policy; but it is unpopular in hawkish new Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government
Jordanian sources said the king sees the Obama administration's emphasis on a two-state solution and on containing Israeli settlement expansion as very good sign.
The king met Friday with American Jewish, Muslim and Arab groups. In a statement, the Jordanian Embassy said that Abdullah emphasized to Jewish groups the importance of a two-state solution and recommended the Arab Initiative,.
An embassy statement said that the king in his meeting with Jewish leaders "emphasized the urgency of resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of the two-state solution that will guarantee security for Israel and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
"He said the Arab Initiative offers a significant opportunity to reach a comprehensive peace that will meet the legitimate rights of all parties and ensure normal relations for Israel with all its Arab neighbors."
News agencies contributed to this report
