Jordan, UAE leaders stress importance of Syria's security, sovereignty

AMMAN, Jordan

Jordan's King Abdullah II and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed on Wednesday emphasized the importance of ensuring Syria's security and respecting its people's will.

The two leaders met in Abu Dhabi, where King Abdullah made a brief visit to the capital of the United Arab Emirates, and talked about the current situation in Syria while highlighting the nation's security, sovereignty, and people's will, according to a statement released by the Jordanian Royal Court.

The two leaders discussed recent developments in Syria following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime, as well as current regional developments.

They affirmed “their shared views on respecting the choices of the Syrian people and safeguarding Syria’s security, stability, territorial integrity, and national institutions, stressing that Syria’s stability is a strategic Arab and regional interest.”

Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of Damascus early Sunday, ending the Baath Party rule, which had been in power since 1963.

On Gaza situation, Abdullah “reaffirmed the need to stop the Israeli war on Gaza and bolster the humanitarian response.”

He warned that the ongoing war in Gaza hinders efforts to achieve a comprehensive cease-fire.

Moreover, the Jordanian monarch called for a political solution to the Palestinian issue based on the two-state framework, according to the statement.

Israel has launched a genocidal war on the Gaza Strip that has killed over 44,800 people, mostly women and children, since a Hamas attack on Oct. 7 last year.

Last month, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on Gaza.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio