Jordan king voices support for crisis-hit Lebanon

By Leith al-Juneidi

AMMAN (AA) - Jordanian King Abdullah II on Monday expressed his support for Lebanon’s “sovereignty and stability”, according to a statement issued by Jordan’s royal court.

The king made the remarks while receiving Samy Gemayel, head of Lebanon’s Phalange (or Kataeb) Party, at Amman’s Al-Husseiniyah palace.

King Abdullah also stressed the “depth” of Jordan’s historical relations with Lebanon, reiterating his country’s support for Lebanon’s national sovereignty, unity and stability.

Gemayel, for his part, expressed his appreciation for the support, lauding Amman’s “continuous efforts” to promote regional security, according to the royal statement.

Lebanon has remained in the throes of an unprecedented political crisis since Prime Minister Saad Hariri abruptly announced his resignation -- in a televised address delivered from Saudi Arabia -- on Nov. 4.

In his resignation address, Hariri had criticized Iran and its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah, accusing them of sowing “sedition” in the region and meddling in Arab affairs.

Saudi Arabia, Hariri’s long-time political patron, is Iran’s arch-foe in the region. Riyadh supports Syria’s armed opposition, while Iran and Hezbollah both support Syria’s Assad regime.