U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has said that His Majesty King Abdullah II played an essential and pivotal role in reaching a ceasefire between the Israelis and the Palestinians.
In a press conference on Wednesday evening in Amman, Blinken said Jordan’s contributions in helping to end the escalation between the Israelis and Palestinians illustrate the Kingdom’s role as a force for peace in the region.
“Jordan is more than just a strategic partner for the United States. It is a friend, and that friends stand by each other in difficult times,” he stressed, adding that the last period was difficult for Jordan and for many.
The U.S. top diplomat praised the Kingdom’s humanitarian role and generosity towards those who sought refuge in it to escape instability in the region, stressing that this reflects the generosity of the Jordanian people.
Blinken outlined key topics he discussed earlier during his meetings with His Majesty King Abdullah II and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi.
He said, “We discussed Jordan’s pivotal role and its custody over the holy sites”, stressing the importance of preserving the status quo of these sanctities.
Blinken underlined Jordan-U.S. cooperation to enhance stability and provide economic opportunities and justice in the region, noting that the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip is not the end of the matter, but rather a beginning that must be built upon.
He also emphasized that “ensuring a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip was very important, especially in light of the difficult consequences for both sides”.
He indicated that the reconstruction of Gaza is one of the most important issues, pointing out that his country will provide aid to the Palestinians, noting that some aid has begun to reach the residents of the Gaza Strip.
Furthermore, Blinken revealed that his country is about to provide $360 million in aid to the Palestinian people, calling on the countries of the region to cooperate with each other”.
“If we want to avoid a return to the atrocities that we have witnessed in recent weeks, the countries of the region must help and support each other,” the U.S. official stressed.
He talked about the U.S. administration’s recent decisions, including the reopening of the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem, indicating that the move may take some time.
Blinken expressed his sincere congratulations on the occasion of the Kingdom’s 75th Independence Day and the country’s centenary, stressing the friendship and partnership between the two friendly countries and peoples.
Source: Jordan News Agency