King receives two US senators

Amman: His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday received US Senate Appropriations Committee members Senator Chris Van Hollen and Senator Jeff Merkley. Discussions at the meeting, attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, covered the strategic partnership between Jordan and the United States, as well as the dangerous developments in Gaza. His Majesty stressed the importance of pushing for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the protection of civilians, and the uninterrupted supply of aid. The King reiterated Jordan's rejection of attempts to displace the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, calling for enabling Gazans to return to their homes. His Majesty warned of the aggressive acts by extremist settlers against the Palestinians and violations of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, warning that failure to counter them would lead to an explosion in the region and an expansion of the war. The senators said the tragic humanitarian situation in Gaza is unacceptable, stressi ng that the humanitarian crisis in the Strip is increasingly deteriorating. They stressed the need to reach a comprehensive and lasting solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of the two-state solution, commending Jordan's efforts in this regard. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Director of the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan, and US Ambassador to Jordan Yael Lempert attended the meeting. Source: Jordan News Agency