LOC20:57
17:57 GMT
AMMAN, Jan 29 (KUNA) -- Seeking to assure Jordanians and open a new chapter
in relations with Jordan, Chairman of the politburo of Hamas Khaled Meshal
underscored Sunday that Palestinians would not accept any alternative home.
"Jordan will be Jordan and Palestine will be Palestine," Meshal told
reporters following his meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah II, referring an
Israeli plan to create an alternative home for Palestinian in Jordan.
Jordan has an enormous Palestinian population and many Jordanian descend
from a Palestinian origin.
Meshal said his visit to Amman, accompanying Qatari Crown Prince Sheikh
Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, signaled a new chapter in relation between the
Palestinian movement and Jordan.
He underscored Hamas' respect of Jordan's security, stability and interests
and its keenness to forge distinguished relations with the Kingdom.
"I hope the visit will be followed by chapters of goodwill and strong ties
to serve the Jordanian and Palestinian interest," he said.
Meshal thanked King Abdullah II for Jordan's support to Palestinians.
The meeting, held over luncheon, was attended by Sheikh Tamim and Jordanian
Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah, the King's advisers and a number of
Qatari officials as well as Meshal Deputy Mousa Abou Marzouk and four other
Hamas prominent figures.
Meshal arrived earlier Sunday on the first visit to Jordan by Hamas leader
in 12 years since he and four other members of the radical Palestinian group
were expelled from Jordan in 1999.
The meeting is a part of Qatari efforts to mediate a rapprochement between
Hamas and Jordan.
Meanwhile, King Abdullah asserted Jordan's firm support of the Palestinian
people's aspirations to an independent state on 1967 borders with East
Jerusalem as its capital.
He said Palestinian-Israeli peace talks should be based on the two-state
solution and UN resolutions, reaffirming that Palestinian statehood is a
higher Jordanian interest.
The King also called for Palestinian unity and reconciliation, which would
strengthen the Palestinian position, reiterating Jordan's continued aid to
ease the plight of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
On the other hand, Jordanian and Qatari leaders discussed bolstering
bilateral ties in all fields.
The two sides also reviewed the latest developments in the region,
especially Arab uprising and how to cooperate to retain the region's security
and stability. (pickup previous)
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