AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday discussed bilateral cooperation, strategic partnership and regional challenges with a delegation of US congressional aides, according to a Royal Court statement. 

 

The meeting, held at Basman Palace, focused on efforts to revive the Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations based on a two-state solution, regional developments and efforts to combat terrorism. 

 

For their part, the delegates voiced their country’s appreciation of Jordan’s pivotal role, under the leadership of King Abdullah, in dealing with regional challenges, and the efforts exerted to achieve security and stability in the region, the statement said. 

 

The meeting was attended by Royal Court Chief Fayez Tarawneh and the King’s Office Director Jafar Hassan.

 

Also on Monday, Mafraq MP Raed Khazaaleh, Head of the Lower House Foreign Affairs Committee and the committee members, met with the US delegates and commended the US’ support of Jordan. 

 

The panel members and delegates discussed regional issues, focusing on the Syrian crisis and its repercussions on the Jordanian sectors of economy, infrastructure, education and health. 

 

The House committee members stressed that the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the root cause of instability and clashes in the region, in addition to the lack of justice, which, they said, instigated extremism. They called for a just and comprehensive solution to the Middle East crisis based on the two-state formula. 

 

Also on Monday, His Majesty King Abdullah met with CEO of Dallah Al Baraka Group Sheikh Saleh Kamel, who is currently participating in the second Global Forum of the Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions held in Amman.

 

The meeting focused on the importance of Islamic banking in achieving sustainable development and economic growth, according to a Royal Court statement.

 

King’s Office Director Jafar Hassan also attended the meeting.

 

The General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions (CIBAFI), the global umbrella of Islamic financial institutions, is organising the two-day forum, which was launched on Monday under the theme “Essential Renovation of Banking Practices towards Resilience and Shared Prosperity”.

 

The conference is held in Amman under the patronage of the Central Bank of Jordan, according to CIBAFI’s website.

 

The forum brought together stakeholders from the Islamic finance industry, multilateral development institutions, international and national regulatory bodies, policymakers and academics to discuss key emerging issues within the industry. 

 

The event has attracted the participation of more than 200 delegates from 30 countries, CIBAFI added.