King renews support for Iraq

King Abdullah on Thursday reiterated Jordan’s support for all efforts meant to preserve the stability and unity of Iraq and bring an end to the violence and chaos plaguing the neighbouring country.The King made the remarks at a meeting with Iraqi Presidential Council Secretary Nasser Aani, who delivered a letter from President Jalal Talabani.

In the letter, Talabani stressed the need for continuous cooperation between Jordan and Iraq in various fields.

Present at the meeting were Director of King’s Office Bassem Awadallah, Director of the General Intelligence Department Mohammad Dahabi and Iraqi Ambassador to Jordan Saad Hayyani.

Also Thursday, King Abdullah received a letter from Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa in which he expressed appreciation to the King’s efforts to enhance economic cooperation among the Group of Eleven (G-11) members.

The group was launched by the King at the 60th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations in 2005.

It comprises middle-income countries and seeks to promote bilateral relations between member states and build fruitful relationship with advanced countries, especially the G-8.

Members include Morocco, Ecuador, Georgia, Indonesia, Paraguay, Sri Lanka, Honduras, Pakistan, Croatia and El Salvador, in addition to Jordan.

The second G-11 summit was held on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum at the Dead Sea on May 19.

In his address to the meeting, the King highlighted the G-11’s four priority areas for international support and cooperation: Debt burden alleviation, investment promotion, trade development and targeted grant assistance.

“These are the basics for self-sustaining prosperity, supporting foundations for reform, opening new opportunities for millions more people to escape poverty and enabling our young people to build strong futures,” he said.

The King’s activities Thursday included a visit to the Jordan Armed Forces Headquarters, where he discussed with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff General Khaled Sarayreh issues of concern to the military.

King Abdullah returned Wednesday from a tour that included Canada and the US, where he met with senior officials over Middle East issues, the situation in Iraq and bilateral ties.