London - King Abdullah of Jordan has warned that a new
Middle East war could break out within 12-18 months unless a peace
agreement is reached - but added that the US were finalizing
'ambitious' peace proposals.
In an interview published by the London Times newspaper Monday,
the Jordanian monarch said that failure to reach a peace agreement
could result in a new conflict within 12 to 18 months.
'If we delay our peace negotiations, then there is going to be
another conflict between Arabs or Muslims and Israel in the next 12
to 18 months,' he said.
King Abullah said the US government was finalizing an ambitious
'57-state solution' for peace that he is helping to prepare. The
plan would include proposals to settle Israel's disputes with Syria
and Lebanon.
'If there are no clear signals and no clear directives to all of
us, there will be a feeling that this is just another American
government that is going to let us all down, said the king.
He also warned that if Israel procrastinated on a two-state
solution, or there was no clear US vision on what should happen this
year, the 'tremendous credibility' of US President Barack Obama in
the Arab world would evaporate.
A '57-state solution' would include all 57 member of the
Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), said King Abdullah.
'What we are talking about is not Israelis and Palestinians
sitting at the table, but Israelis sitting with Palestinians,
Israelis sitting with Syrians, Israelis sitting with Lebanese,' he
said.
The Times said that a plan could offer Israel entry visas to every
Arab country, the right of Israeli national airline El Al to fly over
Arab territory, and the eventual recognition of Israel by all OIC
members.
Israel would have to respond by halting the construction and
expansion of settlements, and agree to withdraw from land taken since
1967. The right of return of Palestinian refugees and the future
status of Jerusalem would be negotiated within the framework of the
deal.
King Abdullah said the fact that there was now a 'right-wing
government' in Israel should not mean that we should 'chuck in the
towel.'
There would be a lot of 'shuttle diplomacy' to try to reach a
solution over the next few months, he said.
USA
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