Discussing “regional challenges”, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad made his first trip to Jordan since 2005, a move that is viewed as an attempt to mend relations ahead of the upcoming Arab League Conference. Last week, Assad met with leaders of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait as well.

Syria’s close ties with Iran and other terrorist organizations has been a source of conflict with the Saudis, who view the Iranian threat as a major destabilizing factor to the entire region.

Assad also spoke with Jordan’s King Abdullah II regarding demands that Israel withdraw from all “occupied areas,” making reference to the areas liberated in the June 1967 Six Day War, which includes the Old City of Jerusalem, major areas of the capital, Yehuda, Shomron, the Golan Heights and the Jordan Valley.

The Arab leaders insist that Israel will not attain peace with her neighbors until ending the occupation and permitting the establishment of a Palestinian state.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)