His Majesty continues meetings with Congress Leaders and Committee Representatives
Washington - His Majesty King Abdullah II on Thursday continued meetings with Congress leaders and committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives and discussed means to enhance bilateral ties, developments in the Middle East, especially the Syrian crisis as well as efforts to revive peace negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis.
The King met with Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Barbara Mikulski and committee members, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Congressional Friends of Jordan Caucus at the US House of Representatives, headed by Charles Boustany, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez and committee members.
During the meetings, attended by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, His Majesty stressed the need to find a political and transitional solution to the escalating Syrian crisis so as to stop the bloodshed, end violence and preserve Syria's unity and people.
The King said that the intensified violence across Syria has driven the refugee influx into neighboring countries, including Jordan, which has received around half a million Syrians and has been extending services to them despite the heavy burdens borne by the economy.
His Majesty noted that the deterioration situation in Syria and the influx of refugees added extra burdens on the already-exhausted resources in the Kingdom, calling on the international community to carry out its responsibilities to support relief efforts and enable Jordan provide services to these refugees, whose numbers are increasing day by day.
The King underscored the key role of the U.S. in supporting efforts to achieve peace and help the Palestinians and the Israelis return back to the negotiating table to establish an independent Palestinian state, according to the two-state solution, which is the only way to achieve peace, security and stability for the peoples of the region.
His Majesty also outlined reforms being carried out in the Kingdom to promote democratic approach and expand the public participation in the decision-making process.