Giorgia Meloni, the Prime Minister of Italy, recently visited the royal residence in Aqaba, Jordan, where she met with the Hashemite King of Jordan, Abdullah II. This meeting marked the first stop of Meloni’s Middle East mission, which will also include a visit to Lebanon. She arrived in Aqaba after participating in the European Council meeting in Brussels. During her visit, she had a meeting with the Jordanian sovereign, followed by a working breakfast. After concluding her visit in Jordan, Meloni will travel to Beirut for meetings with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati and President of the National Assembly Nabih Berri. She will also visit the Italian contingent of Unifil, which has been recently targeted by the Israeli army.
During her meeting with King Abdullah II in Aqaba, the two leaders discussed ways to de-escalate the situation in the region. The Jordanian ruler emphasized the importance of intensifying efforts to immediately end the Israeli war in Gaza and Lebanon, protect civilians, and alleviate their suffering. King Abdullah II also stressed the need to strengthen humanitarian response in Gaza, ensure the flow of medical aid and relief to the Strip, and maintain support for UNRWA to continue providing its services under its UN mandate. He also warned against continued attacks by extremist settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank, as well as violations of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem.
Moreover, King Abdullah II called for effective action to create a political horizon for achieving a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution. The meeting also addressed the importance of maintaining coordination to enhance the effectiveness of the response to the Syrian refugee crisis. The discussions also focused on bilateral ties, with Abdullah II expressing willingness to strengthen cooperation in all sectors. In return, Prime Minister Meloni expressed Italy’s appreciation for Jordan’s humanitarian role in Gaza. The two leaders also discussed the importance of continuing efforts to improve the response to the Syrian refugee crisis.
Meloni’s visit to the Middle East comes at a critical time when the region is facing various challenges, including conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. By engaging with regional leaders like King Abdullah II, the Italian Prime Minister is working towards finding solutions to promote peace and stability in the region. Meloni’s meetings in Jordan and Lebanon are aimed at exploring avenues for de-escalation, humanitarian assistance, and political dialogue to address the ongoing crises. By expressing Italy’s support for humanitarian efforts in Gaza and emphasizing the need for a political resolution based on the two-state solution, Meloni is signaling Italy’s commitment to contributing to peace-building in the region.
Overall, Giorgia Meloni’s visit to Jordan and Lebanon highlights Italy’s engagement in the Middle East and its commitment to promoting peace, stability, and humanitarian assistance in the region. By meeting with regional leaders and discussing ways to de-escalate conflicts, protect civilians, and advance political solutions, Meloni is contributing to international efforts to address the challenges facing the region. As the Italian Prime Minister continues her diplomatic mission in the Middle East, her interactions with leaders like King Abdullah II and Najib Mikati will play a crucial role in finding ways to address the root causes of conflicts and work towards sustainable peace in the region.
