AMMAN, Jordan, April 30, 2018 (AP) — US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday that a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains a priority for the Trump administration, despite its recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and its planned move of the US Embassy to the holy city over Palestinian protests. Pompeo also said the US is "fully supportive" of the Jewish state's right to defend itself and declined to criticise the Israeli military for its use of live fire against Palestinian protesters along the Gaza border. Pompeo was speaking in the Jordanian capital of Amman as he wrapped up the Middle East leg of his first overseas trip as America's top diplomat. Pompeo called on the Palestinians to return to long-stalled peace talks with Israel.He said the United States is open to a two-state solution to the conflict if both parties agree, calling it a "likely outcome." But he would not agree with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi's characterisation of the conflict as "the main cause of instability" in the region. "The parties will ultimately make the decision as to what the correct resolution is," Pompeo told reporters at a joint news conference with Safadi. "We are certainly open to a two-party solution as a likely outcome." But, he said, the Palestinians had to return to a political dialogue to get there."An important piece of achieving Middle East stability is to resolve this conflict," he added. "Precisely how to rank it among all the various challenges, I'll defer on that. Know that it is incredible priority for the United States to provide whatever assistance we can to allow the two parties to come to a resolution." Safadi had opened the news conference with an apparent appeal for the US to boost efforts to end the conflict. "This is the main cause of instability in the region and its resolution is the key to achieving the peace and stability we want," he said. "Yes, the two-state solution is being challenged. Yes, there are many obstacles. But what is the alternative? We cannot give up in our efforts and there is no viable alternative. Pompeo's comments came at the end of a two-day visit to Israel and Jordan during which he did not meet any Palestinian representatives. The Palestinians have essentially boycotted contacts with the US since Trump announced in December that the United States was recognising Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
