(Washington) Joe Biden reminded King Abdullah II of Jordan, visiting Washington, on Thursday of his commitment to the status quo regarding the esplanade of the Mosques in Jerusalem, the White House said.
During a lunch away from the cameras, the American president “reaffirmed” with the King and Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdallah “the close and lasting friendship between the United States and Jordan”, according to a press release of the US executive.
During this interview, he stressed “the need to preserve the historic status quo” around the Esplanade des Mosques, an ultra-sensitive place called Temple Mount by the Jews and located in the Old City of Jerusalem.
Under these rules, non-Muslims can visit the site at specific times, but without praying there — a rule that is being less and less followed by some nationalist Jews who pray there surreptitiously.
The place is administered by Jordan, but its access is controlled by the Israeli security forces.
Joe Biden thus recognized “the crucial role of guardian of the Muslim holy places in Jerusalem” played by Jordan, added the White House in a press release.
At a time of high tensions in the region, the Democratic president reiterated the American position “of strong support for a two-state solution”, hailing the role of King Abdullah II and his country “as a point of stability in the Middle East . »
Joe Biden also met Thursday with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohamed Chia al-Soudani “to reaffirm to him the commitment of the United States to Iraq and to discuss the affairs of the region”, detailed the White House in his statement.