Jordan premier meets UN envoy, urges re-launch of serious talks

Jul 1, 2007, 17:43 GMT

Amman - Jordanian Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit conferred on Sunday with the new United Nations envoy to the Middle East Quartet, Michael Williams, and urged 'real and serious' peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians, an official statement said.

The negotiations should be held in accordance with a 'definite timetable,' Bakhit said.

'The prime minister underscored the importance of reviving the peace process through real and serious negotiations in accordance with a definite timetable and in such a manner that ensures the regaining of the Palestinian people's legitimate rights,' the statement said.

Bakhit pointed out that any new peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians should lead to the establishment of an 'independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, and resolving the problem of Palestinian refugees.'

'The opportunity enshrined in the Arab peace initiative should be seized in reaching the purported peace in the region,' he said.

Bakhit reiterated Jordan's support for the Palestinian legitimacy as represented by President Mahmoud Abbas and 'urged the world community to lend backing to the Palestinian Authority in its endeavours to restore the Palestinian unity.'

He also cautioned against the possible 'deterioration of humanitarian circumstances in the Gaza Strip' following the territory's takeover by the radical Hamas group two weeks ago.

On his part, Williams briefed Bakhit on the outcome of his visit to the Palestinian territories, where he met Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayad, the statement said.

Williams recently replaced Alvaro de Soto, who had said in a leaked report that the international quartet on the Middle East should be abandoned as the UN's policy had become a 'side-show' and failed to try and fulfil US and Israeli interests.