Jordan King urges China’s role in resolving Syria conflict

PanARMENIAN.Net - Jordan's King Abdullah called on China to play an active role in resolving the conflict in Syria, saying Wednesday, Sept 18, that Beijing should use its influence as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and as a "friend of Jordan and the Middle East."

According to the Associated Press, Abdullah made his appeal in his opening remarks at a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a state visit to China. He also praised relations between the two countries and emphasized a common commitment to promoting progress on global issues of concern.

"It is in that spirit that I am here today to discuss with you as a key member of the United Nations Security Council and a friend of Jordan and the Middle East, ways and means of achieving peace, stability, civility and prosperity in our region through an active role in the (Israel-Palestine) peace process as well as that of the Syrian conflict," Abdullah said.

Reporters were ushered from the room following Abdullah's remarks and it wasn't clear how Xi responded, the AP says.

However, in his own opening remarks, the Chinese president stressed the friendship between the two countries and said he looked forward to in-depth talks on "regional and international issues of mutual interest."

Beijing has called for a negotiated political settlement to the more than two-year-old conflict in Syria. It has joined Russia in blocking moves at the United Nations that could lead to the regime's removal — leading to criticism from the U.S. and others that the two countries were prolonging a conflict that has left 100,000 people dead and more than 2 million displaced.

Despite that, China has sought to play a bigger role in the Middle East as part of efforts to stand among leading nations in helping shape world events. Abdullah is just the latest in a string of Middle East leaders to visit Beijing, and China has frequently dispatched diplomats to the region to nurture ties with all parties, including Israel.