Jordan says Hamas-Fateh unity crucial to peace progress

AMMAN (Xinhua) - Jordan's Prime Minister Abdullah Ensour on Saturday said unity among the Palestinian factions is crucial to render peacemaking efforts a success, the state-run Petra news agency reported.

Commending the reconciliation between Fateh and Hamas movement recently, the Jordanian premier said all efforts to support peace and make progress in peace talks will be in vain if there is no unity among the Palestinians.

"We hope that the deal reached recently between the Palestinians for unity and reconciliation is honored as the Arab and Islamic nation will condemn any party that hampers the implementation of this deal," said Ensour following a meeting in Amman with his Palestinian counterpart Rami Hamdallah.

In April, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah party and the Hamas movement announced a reconciliation agreement, declaring an end to their internal split.

"Palestinian unity is crucial at this stage of the Palestinian issue," said Ensour.

The Jordanian premier reiterated Jordan's support for the Palestinians, saying any difference amongst them harm Jordan as well as the Palestinian issue.

The Palestinian premier stressed the importance of continued cooperation with Jordan in the face of the Israeli provocations and violations against Al Aqsa Mosque.

The mosque, which is highly regarded in Islam and Judaism, is overseen by Jordan although it is located in East Jerusalem.