King urges ‘swift’ int’l action to help Palestinians

LONDON (Petra) — King Abdullah on Saturday urged the international community to shoulder responsibility for “this critical” stage of the Palestinian cause.The King told US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice over the telephone that “swift” international action is needed now to help the Palestinians overcome their difficult economic situation and “ensure the sustainability of Palestinian national institutions”. The Monarch called on the US administration to double its efforts to resume Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations, particularly in light of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s talks with US President George W. Bush this week.

In Amman, Government Spokesperson Nasser Judeh reiterated Jordan’s position that the “Palestinian national legitimacy must be respected”.

“Jordan is committed to this legitimacy, which is embodied in the Palestine Liberation Organisation and its constitutional powers,” Judeh said on Friday.

The Kingdom “stresses the importance of safeguarding the Palestinian Authority and prevent the collapse of its institutions that serve the Palestinian people,” he added.

He said Jordan completely reject any defiance of this legitimate authority.

Judeh stressed Jordan’s “deep concern about the dangerous repercussions of the Palestinian infighting and chaos in Gaza on the Palestinian cause, its legitimacy and future”.

He warned against the impact of such situations on the prospects of resolving the cause and restoring the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, mainly the establishment of an independent state.

The official renewed Jordan’s calls for an immediate end to “this unacceptable, sad and dangerous situation”. “Jordan demands that all feuding factions shoulder responsibility for the dear Palestinian people and unify efforts to end this situation that would only lead to deepening the suffering of Palestinians.”