His Majesty King Abdullah met on Tuesday with United Nations Secretary General António Guterres and discussed the importance of stepping up international efforts to achieve just and lasting peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

King Abdullah stressed the need to launch serious and effective negotiations between the two parties, based on the two-state solution, the Arb Peace Initiative, and international law and relevant UN resolutions, leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 4 June 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Discussions covered the challenges facing UNRWA. His Majesty stressed the importance of supporting the UN agency to sustain its relief, education, and health services for over 5 million registered Palestinian refugees.

The meeting also addressed the Syrian refugee burden on Jordan’s economy and the need for the international community to shoulder its responsibilities towards host countries, especially Jordan, to enable the Kingdom to continue providing relief and humanitarian services for refugees.

Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Adviser to His Majesty and Director of the Office of His Majesty Manar Dabbas, and Jordan’s Permanent Representative to the UN Sima Bahous attended the meeting.