Jordan and Bahrain condemned Sunday Israel’s "barbaric and oppressive practices" in the occupied Palestinian territories, reported the Gulf Daily News.
In a joint communiqué issued after the third meeting of the joint Bahraini-Jordanian committee which convened in Manama, the two countries called for the lifting of the blockade on Palestinian lands, a halt to settlement activity, and an end to Israel’s use of force and its destruction of the Palestinian people's rights.
Bahrain and Jordan also called on Israel to withdraw from areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority so that peace negotiations could resume.
They called for the findings of the Mitchell report to be implemented along the lines of the recent Jordanian-Egyptian initiative and expressed support for recommendations issued by the Arab summit follow-up committee at its meetings in Cairo on July 18.
Bahrain and Jordan also expressed concern about recent threats made by the current Israeli government.
They said these would “kill peace opportunities, which Arabs accepted as a strategic choice.”
Bahrain and Jordan also stressed the importance of enhancing Gulf security and stability, said the joint statement.
They supported the Arab stance taken by the Amman declaration and called for the lifting of sanctions imposed on Iraq.
The two sides called on Iran to “respond to the sincere calls of UAE President Shaikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan for a peaceful solution to the dispute over three UAE islands.”
They also expressed concern over Sudan’s sovereignty and unity and welcomed the Khartoum government's acceptance of the Egyptian-Libyan joint initiative to maintain peace in Sudan.
Several bilateral agreements were signed Saturday during the committee meetings to boost trade ties – Albawaba.com
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
