Jordan said Saturday that the region's recent turmoil should not direct attention away from the core and central issue of Palestine.
Nothing would justify suspending the efforts to create an independent and viable Palestinian state and resume direct Palestinian-Israeli peace talks, Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh told a joint press conference with his visiting Australian counterpart Kevin Rudd.
Judeh called for launching serious and effective peace talks in line with the international resolutions and the 2002 Arab peace initiative, saying it is important that these talks lead to the creation of an independent Palestinian state at the borders of 1967 with east Jerusalem as its capital.
Prime Minister Marouf Bakhit struck similar notes at his meeting with Rudd on the same day, saying there is no hope for Israel to enjoy peace with the Arabs unless it halts settlement activities, resuming peace talks and acknowledging the Palestinians' right to a statehood.
Bakhit said continued unilateral Israeli actions such as settlement activities in Jerusalem and the Arab territories jeopardize the future of peace and increase disappointment among Arab generations.
Rudd, who is visiting the region amid current unrest, reiterated his country supports for the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state that lives side by side in peace and security with Israel.
He said Australia is concerned with developments in the Middle East, adding that Canberra enjoys good ties in the region and it would work with all Arab states and Israel to help promote peace and solve the Palestine issue.