CAIRO: Egypt and Jordan have called for renewed international efforts to break the deadlock in peace efforts between Palestine and Israel.
The demands came as a result of a phone meeting on developments in Jerusalem between Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi.
Shoukry and Safadi warned Israel to “stop all attacks and provocative measures” in order to end tensions and restore peace in the region.
The two ministers condemned the acts of violence carried out by extremist groups against Palestinians in the Old City of East Jerusalem.
They also urged Israel to take responsibility under international law, provide protection to Palestinians and avoid preventing access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque.
The shared Arab, Islamic and Christian identity of Jerusalem should be protected by Israeli authorities, the two ministers said.
A return to “serious and effective” negotiation to achieve a comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution and Arab Peace Initiative is necessary, they added.
Shoukry and Safadi also discussed bilateral relations between Egypt and Jordan.
During the call, the Egyptian foreign minister briefed his Jordanian counterpart on the results of his African tour to discuss the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam dispute.
Safadi said Jordan has provided its “full support” to Egypt in its efforts to protect water rights, which he said is part of “Arab national security.”
He backed Egypt’s official position to resolve the dam issue through international law and in a manner that preserves the rights of all parties.
