Arab leaders join hands to avert crisis in LebanonUS praises leadership of Saudi Arabia AMMAN - King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, and his Jordanian counterpart Abdullah II discussed on Friday developments in Lebanon and called for stability and security to be strengthened in the country. “The two leaders stressed their backing for Lebanon's efforts to enhance its stability, security, unity and national accord,” a Jordanian palace statement said. King Abdullah, who is on a four-nation tour, arrived in Amman after holding a series of meetings in Egypt, Syria and Lebanon. The two kings also held talks on the Palestinian issue. “A two-state solution is the only way to achieve security and stability in the region,” they were quoted as saying in the statement. “Saudi Arabia and Jordan support the Palestinian people in seeking to restore their rights.” They also stressed the need for intensified efforts on part of the international community for the achievement of a just solution to the long-standing issue of Palestine. Arab officials agreed in principle Thursday to holding direct Mideast peace negotiations, but left it up to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to decide when the talks with Israel should start. The official statement said that the two leaders also discussed mechanisms to reactivate cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Jordan. King Abdullah of Jordan lauded efforts of King Abdullah in consolidating Arab ranks. The King and Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad earlier on Friday urged Lebanese parties to avoid resorting to violence in the face of mounting political tensions in the country. “The leaders stressed the importance of stability... the commitment (of the Lebanese) not to resort to violence and the need to place the country's interests above all sectarian interests,” said a communiqué issued by the Lebanese presidency after a mini-summit between the two leaders and President Michel Suleiman. The statement also stressed the need to “resort to legal institutions and Lebanon's unity government to resolve any differences.” Earlier, President Michel Suleiman and Prime Minister Saad Hariri greeted King Abdullah and President Al-Assad when they arrived on a Saudi aircraft from Damascus. Al-Assad gave reporters a thumbs-up and said “it was an excellent summit” as he left Lebanon's presidential palace. Arab League Secretary General Amr Moussa told Ashraq Al-Awsat Arabic daily that Friday's visit by the Saudi and Syrian leaders was a sign that the Arabs are rallying behind Lebanon to avert any “negative development or aggression.” The visit by the Saudi and Syrian leaders lasted only about three hours and included a lunch attended by some 250 officials - among them members of the unity government. Meanwhile, the United States expressed appreciation for the efforts of King Abdullah, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, in dealing with urgent regional issues. Commenting on the Arab tour by the King, US State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said the visit is consistent with the great leadership role played by King Abdullah and with his vision, aspirations and constant search for peace in the region. Crowley said the US values the King's leadership role and supports his peace efforts. “The whole visit is about containing the situation for the immediate future,” Sahar Atrache, a Beirut-based analyst with the International Crisis Group was quoted as saying by a news agency. The Arabic-language newspaper An-Nahar called the summit “historic.” “This joint visit is historic and decisive because of its timing and the consequences it can have on a mounting crisis in Lebanon related to the tribunal,” it said.
