HM King Abdullah II & President Abbas Meet In Amman.
Both Leaders Underline The Necessity To Maintain Palestinian National Unity
And To Achieve Progress In The ME Peace Talks.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and HM King Abdullah II of Jordan met in Amman today, Wednesday, and discussed the latest efforts by the Palestinian President to solidify Palestinian unity and to achieve progress in the Middle East peace process.

"His Majesty King Abdullah II held talks today with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the Palestinian National Authority's (PNA) initiative to enhance Palestinian national unity as well as peace making efforts," announced Petra, Jodan's News Agency in a news despatch from Amman after the meeting. It said that HM King Abdullah II reiterated that the call by president Abbas for national dialogue "must mark a starting point towards bolstering Palestinian national unity, enabling Palestinians restore their legitimate rights and establishing their viable independent state on their national soil."

The King underlined Jordan's support for these efforts as well as the importance of continuing international involvement to achieve tangible progress in the peace negotiations to establish the independent Palestinian state on the Palestinian national soil in West Bank and Gaza Strip."The current escalation in Gaza and the Israeli threats of wide military operations against the Gaza Strip as well as the Israeli policy of building more settlements mainly in Jerusalem pose great threat to the security and stability of the region," said King Abdullah.In this context, King Abdullah and President Abbas underlined the importance of forcing Israel to respect the international agreements, such as discussing the final status issues, to reach a just and everlasting settlement for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.President Abbas briefed the King on the PNA stance that aims to start a national dialogue with Hamas, as well as his view towards this issue.President Abbas also briefed King Abdullah on the outcome of his recent meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, as well as results of his talks with Saudi and Egyptian leaders. President Abbas expressed the Palestinian people's appreciation for Jordan, under the leadership of HM King Abdullah.

Talking to the press after the meeting, President Abbas said he discussed with King Abdullah how should the future mechanism me to address internal Palestinian problems as well as issues related to the final status talks with Israel.

Asked if he would support a joint declaration with Hamas after the latter ceases its hostile media campaign against the PNA, President Abbas said that hostile media rhetoric is damaging to all parties and what matters first is that Hamas stops its incitement against the Palestinian National Authority. Then, our response will certainly be positive."

Addressing the situation in Gaza, President Abbas reiterated his call on Israel to avoid further escalation of the tension in the Strip and called on all parties in Gaza to stop firing their rockets on Israel's southern towns.