AMMAN, Jan 29 (KUNA) -- Seeking to assure Jordanians and open a new chapter in relations with Jordan, Chairman of the politburo of Hamas Khaled Meshal underscored Sunday that Palestinians would not accept any alternative home.
"Jordan will be Jordan and Palestine will be Palestine," Meshal told reporters following his meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah II, referring an Israeli plan to create an alternative home for Palestinian in Jordan.
Jordan has an enormous Palestinian population and many Jordanian descend from a Palestinian origin.
Meshal said his visit to Amman, accompanying Qatari Crown Prince Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, signaled a new chapter in relation between the Palestinian movement and Jordan.
He underscored Hamas' respect of Jordan's security, stability and interests and its keenness to forge distinguished relations with the Kingdom.
"I hope the visit will be followed by chapters of goodwill and strong ties to serve the Jordanian and Palestinian interest," he said.
Meshal thanked King Abdullah II for Jordan's support to Palestinians.
The meeting, held over luncheon, was attended by Sheikh Tamim and Jordanian Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah, the King's advisers and a number of Qatari officials as well as Meshal Deputy Mousa Abou Marzouk and four other Hamas prominent figures.
Meshal arrived earlier Sunday on the first visit to Jordan by Hamas leader in 12 years since he and four other members of the radical Palestinian group were expelled from Jordan in 1999.
The meeting is a part of Qatari efforts to mediate a rapprochement between Hamas and Jordan.
Meanwhile, King Abdullah asserted Jordan's firm support of the Palestinian people's aspirations to an independent state on 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital.
He said Palestinian-Israeli peace talks should be based on the two-state solution and UN resolutions, reaffirming that Palestinian statehood is a higher Jordanian interest.
The King also called for Palestinian unity and reconciliation, which would strengthen the Palestinian position, reiterating Jordan's continued aid to ease the plight of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
On the other hand, Jordanian and Qatari leaders discussed bolstering bilateral ties in all fields.
The two sides also reviewed the latest developments in the region, especially Arab uprising and how to cooperate to retain the region's security and stability.
KUNA
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