AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, during a meeting with Christian religious leaders at Al Husseiniya Palace on Monday, emphasised the importance of restoring stability to the Middle East, and preserving the Christian presence there.

 

During two meetings with Patriarch John X of Antioch and All the East, and Archimandrite Metodije of the Serbian Orthodox Church, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, His Majesty underscored the need to stop violations against Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, which aim to alter the historical and legal status quo, according to a Royal Court statement.

 

The King also reaffirmed Jordan’s continued religious and historical role in safeguarding these holy sites under the Hashemite Custodianship.

 

The meetings, also attended by HRH Prince Ghazi, His Majesty’s chief adviser for religious and cultural affairs and personal envoy, and Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III, touched on the overall situation in the region, with His Majesty stressing the need for all parties to adhere to the agreement to end the war on Gaza and ensure the flow of aid, as well as halt the dangerous escalations in the West Bank, the statement said.

 

Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh attended the meetings.