World should be "more sympathetic" to Jordan's refugee burden - King Abdullah

AMMAN, Feb 13 (KUNA) -- King Abdullah said Jordanians have been "let down" by the international community as their country continues to bear the burden resulting from hosting Syrian refugees fleeing their country's nearly seven-year conflict.
"I do feel that the international community has let down our people, who have paid and shouldered the burden of responsibility of 20 per cent of our country of Syrian refugees," he said.
"Life for Jordanians today, is very, very tough, and I wish the world was more sympathetic to their plight," he added in an interview with Tass news agency ahead of meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Thursday.
Regarding the upcoming talks, he said they would focus predominantly on the two countries' joint efforts to regain stability in southern Syria.
The meeting would also discuss bringing about a political solution to the conflict, particularly on matters like the constitution and the elections.
On the matter of terrorism, he said that in spite of the defeat of the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria the group is regaining strength in other countries around the world.
"It has to be in a holistic approach that we combine all our efforts to try and stop these people wherever they may be," he said. (end) mjb.sd