David Miliband during his press conference on 3 November in Amman

Foreign Secretary David Miliband held an audience with King Abdullah II at lunch time on Tuesday for talks focused on a way forward on the Middle East Peace Process.

Following his meeting, David Miliband held a press conference at the British Embassy in Amman. During the press conference David Miliband described the current situation in Jerusalem as "tense". 

He said:

'The current situation is obviously particularly tense in respect of Jerusalem. We view events there with considerable concern, along with our EU and international partners.'

The Foreign Secretary also expressed particular concern over reports of settlers moving into a Palestinian family's home in Sheikh Jarrah.

He continued:

'Settlements are illegal in our view and an obstacle to peace settlement in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.'

'It's so important for all those who care about security and social justice in this region that discussions about borders and territory are restarted in a serious way, because if you can progress on border and territory, you can resolve the settlements issue.'

The Foreign Secretary also held talks with Senator George Mitchell, the US Special Envoy to the Middle East, at the US Embassy in Amman.

David Miliband is also meeting several Jordanian officials to reinforce the strength of Jordanian-UK relations and to emphasise the UK's continued commitment to a two-state solution to the Israel Palestine conflict.

This is the Foreign Secretary's second visit to Jordan this year

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