Amman (June 24, 2007) - His Majesty King Abdullah II expressed Jordan's full support for the Palestinian National Authority as the legitimate representative of the Palestinians as well as for the PNA's efforts to lift the siege on the Palestinian people, build national Palestinian institutions and move the peace process forward.

During talks in Amman today with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, King Abdullah said that events in the Gaza Strip had dealt a significant blow to Palestinian unity and that the Palestinian people have reached a critical juncture in their history.

The King said Jordan opposes the division of Palestinian society and urged the Palestinians to restore order and unity among themselves. He said that the Palestinian national interest must supersede all other considerations in decision making in order to overcome the repercussions that threaten the Palestinian cause.

He urged the Arab and international communities to support the Palestinian people in every possible way and to intensify their efforts to advance the peace process towards a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The King said the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the West Bank and Gaza Strip was and continues to be a priority shared by both Jordanians and Palestinians. He said Jordan would continue to support the Palestinian people's aspirations for freedom and independence.

During the meeting, the two leaders also discussed preparations for quadrilateral summit in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, tomorrow, during which they will also meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The summit will discuss ways to support the Palestinian people, especially by lifting the siege on the Palestinians and the resumption of negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis.

The King emphasized that the summit must be seized as an opportunity to formulate a clear timeline for a return to negotiations.

President Abbas briefed King Abdullah on developments in the Palestinian territories following Hamas' takeover of the Gaza Strip two weeks ago. The Palestinian president also expressed appreciation for Jordan's support for Palestinian unity, as well as Jordan's material support for the Palestinian population, including a recent urgent aid shipment to the Gaza Strip residents to alleviate hardships caused by major shortages in basic commodities.