Jordan's King Abdullah II met here on Wednesday with visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss the latest developments in the region, including the growing tensions in Jerusalem, Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories. During the meeting, they also reviewed the strategic partnership and the strength of the friendly relations between the two countries and ways to expand aspects of cooperation in various fields. According to the Jordanian news agency, Petra, King Abdullah during his meeting with Blinken warned against the continuation of provocative Israeli violations in Jerusalem and against Al Aqsa Mosque, as well as repeated illegal attempts to evict Palestinian families from their homes in East Jerusalem neighborhoods, especially in Sheikh Jarrah, a matter that has led to the recent escalations. King Abdullah stressed the need to preserve the historical and legal status quo in Jerusalem, noting that Jordan will continue its efforts in safeguarding Islamic and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem. He commended the US administration's recent decisions to reopen its consulate general in Jerusalem and to resume support for UNRWA, adding that these steps will help rebuild trust and push the political solution forward. The Jordanian king stressed the US' pivotal role in relaunching serious and effective negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis, leading to a just and comprehensive peace, based on the two-state solution, expressing appreciation for recent American efforts toward ending the escalation in the Palestinian territories. King Abdullah noted that the lack of a political solution that fulfills the just and legitimate rights of the Palestinians, and guarantees the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital, will push the region into further tensions, aggravation, and instability. For his part, Secretary Blinken expressed the US' appreciation of Jordan's key role and efforts in maintaining security and stability in the region. The meeting covered the strategic partnership and deep-rooted friendship between Jordan and the United States, as well as means of expanding cooperation, with the king thanking the US for its continuous support for Jordan.
