Jordan's King Abdullah II on Saturday told an extraordinary meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) that a "vast majority" of Arabs and Israelis want peace which "extremists" are trying to undermine.
"Extremists have tried to derail the peace process," Abdullah said in a keynote address opening the three-day meeting on the shores of the Dead Sea.
"When we hear this news we must remember what the vast majority on both sides want. They want peace ... these are the voices that count," he said.
"Less than three weeks ago in Aqaba (Jordan), we witnessed Palestinians and Israelis affirm their sincere intent to pursue the road to peace," he said.
"The roadmap has been sanctioned by the international community. It must now be implemented," said the monarch.
Through the meeting, Abdullah said, the WEF "is playing in an historic period of change".
He also expected WEF members to contribute to "promoting the reconstruction of Iraq" and said the rebuilding of the war-battered country should "respect the rights of its people to determine their own future".
He added that prosperity can not be achieved in any country or region in isolation, calling the participants in the meeting to adopt a real partnership, a partnership based on common values and fate, to achieve the human development based on mutual respect and true dialogue.
In his speech, the Jordanian leader said that the basic need is the existence of a civic democratic society that guarantees that rights delegates responsibilities, honors merit and rewards achievement.
He added that in Jordan - and throughout the Middle East region, people are working hard to create a civic environment in which they will thrive. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
