King Abdullah II of Jordan Sunday warned against any attempt to bring in a substitute for Palestinian President Yasser Arafat or to marginalize the Palestinian legitimate
leadership.
Such an attempt is a "conspiracy" against the Palestinian people and their just cause, King Abdullah said in an interview with MBC satellite channel, quoted by Petra news agency.
"We, in Jordan, do not recognize any Palestinian leadership
other than the elected one that is headed by brother Yasser Arafat, and we will support him with all our capabilities," King Abdullah said.
Abdullah said from the start of the Israeli aggression, he personally and the Jordanian government started contacting the United States, the EU states and the Arab world in a bid to halt the aggression.
The Jordanian people expressed their support to Palestinian brethren in many ways, through blood donations, sending medical and relief supplies and through marches of protest, the King added.
In reply to a question on whether Israel is considering ousting the Palestinians to Jordan, King Abdullah said " I am sure the Palestinian people's steadfastness and their legitimate leadership on the their land are greater and stronger than any conspiracy or any attempt to expel them."
"We, in Jordan, will stand firmly and strongly in face of any attempt to expel any Palestinian from his homeland under any circumstances," King Abdullah said.
"Jordan is the window for our Palestinian brothers under occupation," and the closure of the Israeli embassy in Amman or the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador, as some people call for, would prompt the other party (Israel) to close the bridges and this means "we won't be able to dispatch any aids or donations to our besieged brothers under occupation, thus increasing their suffering," King Abdullah said. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
