President Sheikh Mohamed and King Abdullah call for Gaza ceasefire

The UAE leader was received by the Jordanian monarch on Monday for a state visit

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President Sheikh Mohamed arrived in Jordan on Monday to begin a state visit.

He was received by Jordan's King Abdullah II at Marka International Airport in Amman, state news agency Wam reported.

The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen ties between the countries during a meeting held at Basman Palace in Amman.

Sheikh Mohamed and King Abdullah also discussed regional and international issues, as well as the developments in the Gaza Strip.

The leaders emphasised the need to protect civilians and called for a ceasefire in the besieged enclave. They also stressed the importance of addressing the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and supporting international humanitarian organisations.

Sheikh Mohamed and King Abdullah also discussed the need to establish a clear political path to peace, rooted in a two-state solution, to ensure stability and security in the Middle East.

They confirmed their commitment to improving Arab efforts to ensure stability in the region, underpinned by the nations' policies of promoting coexistence.

An official lunch reception was attended by Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan; Dr Bisher Al Khasawneh, Prime Minister of Jordan; and Ayman Safadi, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate Affairs, as well as several other senior Jordanian officials.

Sheikh Mohamed was accompanied by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed; Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad, Adviser of Special Affairs at the Presidential Court; Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the Supreme Court for National Security; Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Humaid Abu Shabas, chairman of the UAE Accountability Authority; and Mohamed Al Shorafa, chairman of the Department of Municipalities and Transport.

Sheikh Mohamed's visit comes three months after the leaders witnessed the signing of agreements worth $6 billion between the countries during a state visit in Abu Dhabi.

The deals struck included a partnership between Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company and the Jordan Investment Fund and a grant from the UAE government to finance development projects in Jordan.

They also discussed the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where they both called for urgent international action to stop the “dire escalation” of the conflict.

King Abdullah underlined the importance of lifting the blockade on the Gaza Strip and praised the UAE for its efforts to bring about an end to the war.

Updated: February 05, 2024, 2:56 PM