Jordanian Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit pledged Sunday to give "priority" to reviving the Arab-Israeli peace process despite the spate of popular uprisings that have swept the region over the past weeks, dpa reported.
Bakhit, who formed a new cabinet two weeks ago, made the remark as he presented his main policy statement to the lower house of parliament as a prelude for obtaining the chamber's confidence.
"In spite of the escalating Arab and regional events and their subsequent repercussions, the government emphasises that priority should be given to the Palestinian question, because it is a pivotal issue for Jordanian national security," Bakhit said.
Bakhit also vowed to carry on with real political and economic reforms that would lead to the formation of governments with majorities in parliament. His cabinet would also give priority to enacting a new election law and updating legislation on the operation of political parties.
Earlier this month, King Abdullah II called on Bakhit to conduct speedy reforms after sacking the government of former prime minister Samir Rifai under pressure from a series of demonstrations that derived inspiration from the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt.
King Abdullah promised to speed up fighting corruption and curbs to the open-market economy to ensure "social justice" for citizens who came to suffer from rising food prices.
But Bakhit said attention should not shift away from the Israeli- Palestinian conflict. Jordan and Israel concluded a peace treaty in 1994, but the stumbling of the Middle East peace talks has recently reflected negatively on their bilateral ties.
Bakhit said his government would face with "utmost courage, confidence and credibility Israel's hectic attempts of cheating and procrastination that seek to change the international priorities."
"Jordan will not accept less than the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital and the adoption of the sacred right of return" for all Jordanians of Palestinian origin, Bakhit said.
Jordanians of Palestinian origin form the majority of Jordan's six million population, according to unofficial estimates.
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