Jordan, Russia urge Israel to stop settlement activity

Sep 15, 2008, 13:11 GMT

Amman - Jordan and Russia on Monday urged Israel to stop all practices that could 'derail' the peace process, including settlement activity in the Palestinian territories, an official statement said.

The remark came during a meeting between Jordanian Foreign Minister Salah Bashir and the Russian Middle East envoy Alexander Saltanov.

'The two sides called on Israel to honour its commitments by stopping all practices that could derail the peace process, including the settlement activity and other measures that change realities on the ground and affect final status issues,' the statement said.

Jordan and Russia also urged the Israeli government to 'take tangible steps to alleviate the sufferings of the Palestinian people and facilitate their daily life particularly in economic aspects'.

Bashir praised the role being played by Russia in the Middle East peace process, particularly through the Mideast Quartet, which also comprises the United States, the European Union and the United Nations.

Jordan and Russia called for support to be extended to the Iraqi government in its endeavours to improve the security situation in the country and expressed backing for the national reconciliation dialogue in Lebanon.