Palestinians Get a Boost From Jordanian King
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RAMALLAH, West Bank — As Israeli-Palestinian peace talks enter a decisive stage, Jordan said Tuesday that it will back the Palestinians on all issues, including the creation of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdul-Ilah Khatib made the assurances at a news conference after a meeting between Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat in this West Bank city.
The two leaders did not speak to reporters.
Abdullah was accompanied by his Palestinian wife, Queen Rania, during the trip, his first official visit to the West Bank since being crowned in February 1999. In May, he visited the Palestinian-controlled Gaza Strip.
In a media briefing after the two leaders met, the Palestinian international cooperation minister, Nabil Shaath, said the session was important for the peace process. On Sunday, the king held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak.
Jordan has been the country most intricately linked to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. It has given refuge to the largest number of Palestinian refugees and is the caretaker of the Islamic holy sites in Jerusalem.
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