Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Benny Gantz are in Washington to hold the historic talks with US President Donald Trump. Trump welcomed Netanyahu to the White House. The much-anticipated plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is expected to be announced soon.

What to expect from Trump's peace plan or "Deal Of Century" ?

Palestinians were mostly concerned on Wednesday (April 10) after Israeli election results showed Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu secured a clear path to reelection.

Palestinians voice concern over Netanyahu win

Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) announced on Tuesday that officials from Pakistan and Afghanistan finalised a joint action plan on peace, aimed at ensuring peace and stability between the two countries.

The plan, known as the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS), was agreed following Pakistan Prime Minister's Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's visited to Afghanistan last month.

The final touches to the plan were given at the fourth meeting of Afghanistan Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity held in Islamabad with Abbasi and&nbsp; Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.

The delegations were led by Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai and Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua.

The action plan has been finalized in pursuance of the seven principals agreed in the meeting between Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in Kabul last month.

"Six working committees have been formed. An agreement has been reached on issues such as war against terrorism, expansion of bilateral economic cooperation, security cooperation, curbing the scale of violence, the repatriation of refugees, political cooperation and cooperation in the peace process," MoFA deputy spokesman Sibghatullah Ahamdi was quoted by TOLOnews as saying.

"We hope that this time Pakistan acts honestly and acts upon what it has committed to," said interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish.

Political analysts questioned Islamabad's peace approach on Kabul, saying that it is based on "deceit and lies".

On Sunday, an agreement was signed between Afghan and Pakistani officials to resolve problems regarding transit and trade between the two countries. In return, Afghan officials agreed to lift limitations and conditions on quarantine certificates for Afghan goods which are being exported to Pakistan.

On May 3, Pakistan reopened a major trade route with Afghanistan, the Ghulam Khan pass which wasn't functional for four years.

Pakistan also supported Ghani's latest peace initiative to the Taliban militant group, in what was seen as the first possible breakthrough in the thawing of frosty ties between Kabul and Islamabad.&nbsp;

The plan, known as the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS), was agreed following Pakistan Prime Minister's Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's visited to Afghanistan last month

Afghanistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) announced on Tuesday that officials from Pakistan and Afghanistan finalised a joint action plan on peace, aimed at ensuring peace and stability between the two countries. The plan, known as the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity (APAPPS), was agreed following Pakistan Prime Minister's Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's visited to Afghanistan last month. The final touches to the plan were given at the fourth meeting of Afghanistan Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Solidarity held in Islamabad with Abbasi and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. The delegations were led by Afghan Deputy Foreign Minister Hekmat Khalil Karzai and Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua. The action plan has been finalized in pursuance of the seven principals agreed in the meeting between Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in Kabul last month. "Six working committees have been formed. An agreement has been reached on issues such as war against terrorism, expansion of bilateral economic cooperation, security cooperation, curbing the scale of violence, the repatriation of refugees, political cooperation and cooperation in the peace process," MoFA deputy spokesman Sibghatullah Ahamdi was quoted by TOLOnews as saying. "We hope that this time Pakistan acts honestly and acts upon what it has committed to," said interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish. Political analysts questioned Islamabad's peace approach on Kabul, saying that it is based on "deceit and lies". On Sunday, an agreement was signed between Afghan and Pakistani officials to resolve problems regarding transit and trade between the two countries. In return, Afghan officials agreed to lift limitations and conditions on quarantine certificates for Afghan goods which are being exported to Pakistan. On May 3, Pakistan reopened a major trade route with Afghanistan, the Ghulam Khan pass which wasn't functional for four years. Pakistan also supported Ghani's latest peace initiative to the Taliban militant group, in what was seen as the first possible breakthrough in the thawing of frosty ties between Kabul and Islamabad.

Afghanistan, Pakistan finalise 'Action Plan for Peace & Solidarity'

The United States&rsquo;s work on a new Middle East peace plan is &ldquo;fairly well advanced&rdquo;, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Wednesday, though he provided no details on an initiative which comes amid deep Palestinian scepticism about U.S. intentions.&nbsp;

Tillerson, who was speaking during a visit to Jordan to sign a five-year $6.4 billion aid package that extends U.S. support to a key Arab ally, said President Donald Trump would decide when to announce the peace plan.

The United States infuriated even its Arab allies in December when Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and initiated the move of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he would not cooperate with the United States in its efforts as a mediator.

&ldquo;I have seen the (administration&rsquo;s peace) plan... It&rsquo;s been under development for a number of months. I have consulted with them on the plan, identified areas that we feel need further work. I will say it&rsquo;s fairly well advanced...&rdquo; Tillerson said.

There has been little detail on the plan so far. Officials told Reuters in December it would deal with all major issues, including Jerusalem, borders, security, the future of Jewish settlements on occupied land and the fate of Palestinian refugees, and would also urge Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states to provide significant financial support to the Palestinians.

The plan is being crafted by a team led by Jared Kushner, Trump&rsquo;s son-in-law and senior adviser, and U.S. Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt, both of whom have traveled to key regional capitals since the Trump administration came to office.

Palestinians have grown increasingly concerned that any plan Trump unveils will shortchange them, a fear exacerbated by his move on Jerusalem, which upended decades of U.S. policy that the status of the ancient city must be decided in negotiations.

Jerusalem is home to sites holy to Muslims, Jews and Christians.&nbsp;

JORDANIAN CONCERNS

Jordanian King Abdullah&rsquo;s Hashemite dynasty is the custodian of the Muslim holy sites, making Amman particularly sensitive to any changes of status there. The king has warned that Trump&rsquo;s decision could undermine stability and fuel radicalism.

Jordanian foreign minister Ayman al-Safadi reiterated on Wednesday that a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was the &ldquo;only solution we believe can work&rdquo;.&nbsp;

 
The Trump administration has said it would back a two-state solution if the parties agreed to it.

Trump had threatened to cut off financial aid to countries that backed a U.N. resolution calling for Washington to reverse its Jerusalem decision. Jordan backed the resolution.

But the Trump administration has courted King Abdullah, a moderate pro-Western Arab leader whose kingdom has long upheld U.S. interests in a turbulent region.

On Wednesday Tillerson met the king at his personal residence where the two emphasized strong U.S.-Jordanian ties.

Commenting on the memorandum of understanding signed for $6.375 billion in aid on Wednesday, the U.S. State Department said: &ldquo;(It) highlights the pivotal role Jordan plays in helping foster and safeguard regional stability and supports U.S. objectives such as the global campaign to defeat ISIS, counter-terrorism cooperation, and economic development.&rdquo;

ISIS is an acronym for the militant Islamic State group.

Conflicts in neighbouring Syria and Iraq have damaged Jordan&rsquo;s economy, forcing it to borrow heavily from external and domestic sources. Jordan has been an important part of the U.S.-led coalition battling Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.&nbsp;

TURKEY TIES

Tillerson is also expected this week to visit Turkey, with which U.S. ties have become badly strained over Washington&rsquo;s support for the Kurdish YPG militia in Syria, regarded by Ankara as a terrorist group.

Tillerson said Washington had to &ldquo;find a way to continue to work in the same direction&rdquo;.

He also expressed concern over Saturday&rsquo;s confrontation between Israel and &ldquo;Iranian assets&rdquo; in Syria. Syrian air defenses shot down an Israeli F-16 jet after it bombed a site used by Iran-backed forces in Syria.

Tillerson said Iran should withdraw its forces and militias from Syria, where Tehran backs President Bashar al-Assad.

Responding to the comments, a senior Iranian official, Ali Akbar Velayati, said Iran&rsquo;s military presence in Syria was legitimate and based on an invitation from Damascus. He called on U.S. forces to leave Syria.&nbsp;

Tillerson, who was speaking during a visit to Jordan to sign a five-year $6.4 billion aid package that extends US support to a key Arab ally, said President Donald Trump would decide when to announce the peace plan.

The United States’s work on a new Middle East peace plan is “fairly well advanced”, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Wednesday, though he provided no details on an initiative which comes amid deep Palestinian scepticism about U.S. intentions. Tillerson, who was speaking during a visit to Jordan to sign a five-year $6.4 billion aid package that extends U.S. support to a key Arab ally, said President Donald Trump would decide when to announce the peace plan. The United States infuriated even its Arab allies in December when Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and initiated the move of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he would not cooperate with the United States in its efforts as a mediator. “I have seen the (administration’s peace) plan... It’s been under development for a number of months. I have consulted with them on the plan, identified areas that we feel need further work. I will say it’s fairly well advanced...” Tillerson said. There has been little detail on the plan so far. Officials told Reuters in December it would deal with all major issues, including Jerusalem, borders, security, the future of Jewish settlements on occupied land and the fate of Palestinian refugees, and would also urge Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states to provide significant financial support to the Palestinians. The plan is being crafted by a team led by Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, and U.S. Middle East envoy Jason Greenblatt, both of whom have traveled to key regional capitals since the Trump administration came to office. Palestinians have grown increasingly concerned that any plan Trump unveils will shortchange them, a fear exacerbated by his move on Jerusalem, which upended decades of U.S. policy that the status of the ancient city must be decided in negotiations. Jerusalem is home to sites holy to Muslims, Jews and Christians. JORDANIAN CONCERNS Jordanian King Abdullah’s Hashemite dynasty is the custodian of the Muslim holy sites, making Amman particularly sensitive to any changes of status there. The king has warned that Trump’s decision could undermine stability and fuel radicalism. Jordanian foreign minister Ayman al-Safadi reiterated on Wednesday that a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was the “only solution we believe can work”. The Trump administration has said it would back a two-state solution if the parties agreed to it. Trump had threatened to cut off financial aid to countries that backed a U.N. resolution calling for Washington to reverse its Jerusalem decision. Jordan backed the resolution. But the Trump administration has courted King Abdullah, a moderate pro-Western Arab leader whose kingdom has long upheld U.S. interests in a turbulent region. On Wednesday Tillerson met the king at his personal residence where the two emphasized strong U.S.-Jordanian ties. Commenting on the memorandum of understanding signed for $6.375 billion in aid on Wednesday, the U.S. State Department said: “(It) highlights the pivotal role Jordan plays in helping foster and safeguard regional stability and supports U.S. objectives such as the global campaign to defeat ISIS, counter-terrorism cooperation, and economic development.” ISIS is an acronym for the militant Islamic State group. Conflicts in neighbouring Syria and Iraq have damaged Jordan’s economy, forcing it to borrow heavily from external and domestic sources. Jordan has been an important part of the U.S.-led coalition battling Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. TURKEY TIES Tillerson is also expected this week to visit Turkey, with which U.S. ties have become badly strained over Washington’s support for the Kurdish YPG militia in Syria, regarded by Ankara as a terrorist group. Tillerson said Washington had to “find a way to continue to work in the same direction”. He also expressed concern over Saturday’s confrontation between Israel and “Iranian assets” in Syria. Syrian air defenses shot down an Israeli F-16 jet after it bombed a site used by Iran-backed forces in Syria. Tillerson said Iran should withdraw its forces and militias from Syria, where Tehran backs President Bashar al-Assad. Responding to the comments, a senior Iranian official, Ali Akbar Velayati, said Iran’s military presence in Syria was legitimate and based on an invitation from Damascus. He called on U.S. forces to leave Syria.

Tillerson says US Mideast peace plan 'fairly well advanced'

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