Jordan King stresses anti-terror efforts

AMMAN, Nov 2 (KUNA) -- Jordanian King Abdullah II underlined here on Sunday the significance of ongoing efforts to fight terrorist and extremist organizations and groups.
Addressing the second ordinary session of the 17th parliament, he emphasized that his country is determined to combat extremism, fanaticism and terrorism, saying: "The war on these terrorist organizations and their radical ideology is our war because we are targeted and we must defend ourselves, Islam, and the values of tolerance and moderation by fighting extremism and terrorists." He argued that everyone who supports this extremist takfiri ideology or tries to justify it is an enemy of Islam, the homeland and all noble human values, while calling on the international community to confront extremism in other religions and sects.
On Palestine, the Jordanian king said: "The Palestinian cause remains our principal cause and is a higher national interest. Jerusalem, whose soil is watered by the blood and sacrifices of our martyrs, is a responsibility that lies in the depth of our conscience." He vowed that his country would continue to confront, through all available means, Israeli unilateral policies and measures in Jerusalem and preserve its Muslim and Christian holy sites, until peace is restored to the land of peace.
As for Syria, he reiterated his belief that the only solution is a comprehensive political one, realized through the participation of all components of the Syrian people, assuring the country's unity and stability.
He went on to say that the absence of such a solution will intensify sectarian strife on the regional level. Similarly, the absence of a just and permanent solution for the Palestinian cause will feed extremism and terrorism.
Meanwhile, Jordanian parliament speaker Atef Tarawneh has been re-elected for another term, gaining the approval of 79 deputies of the 150-member parliament. (end) hmf.ab.mt