Jordanian PM: Economic plan no substitute for Palestinian-Israeli peace agreement

Palestinian women wave Palestinian flags as they take cover from an Israeli vehicle during protests in Gaza sFriday. (AFP)

• Prime Minister Omar Razzaz's remarks came during a meeting with his Palestinian counterpart, Mohammad Shtayyeh.
• The Palestinians accuse the US of trying to buy off their national aspirations

AMMAN: Jordan’s prime minister said Sunday that an economic deal cannot be a substitute for a peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians, echoing concerns by critics of the US peace summit in Bahrain last month.
Prime Minister Omar Razzaz said the “road to peace is clear” and must be based upon the creation of an independent Palestinian state with east Jerusalem as its capital.
He said that “there is no compromise or project or deal that will divert us from these priorities.”
His remarks came during a meeting with his Palestinian counterpart, Mohammad Shtayyeh.
In Bahrain, the US promoted its plan calling for $50 billion of investment in Palestinian areas and neighboring Arab countries. The Palestinians accuse the US of trying to buy off their national aspirations.