Morocco and Jordan urge Palestinian reconciliation

Rabat, 18 March-(ANA)-Kings Mohammed VI of Morocco and Abdullah II of Jordan have urged rival Palestinian factions  to work together and expressed their opposition to the extension of Israeli settlements.

In a joint statement during a working visit to Morocco by Jordan's monarch, both men also expressed their "unbreakable and permanent will to defend the holy city (Jerusalem) and protect it against Israeli bids to Judaize it and change its Arab-Muslim status."

With Palestinian factions pitted against one another, the kings pressed for "the re-establishment of Palestinian unity, by both talks and action" to bring about a "united Palestinian government ahead of legislative and presidential elections."

The monarchs "totally reject the construction and expansion of Israeli colonies" and demanded "the lifting of all forms of blockade" imposed against the Palestinian people.(ANA)

FA/ANA/18 March 2009---