LONDON: King Abdullah II of Jordan and UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper discussed the need to intensify efforts to provide humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and to ensure the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.

The meeting in Amman was attended by Crown Prince Hussein and focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation in the trade, industry and defense sectors.

King Abdullah warned against dangerous escalations against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and the violation of Muslim and Christian holy sites in Jerusalem, Petra news agency reported.

He highlighted the need to support Syria and Lebanon in maintaining their security, stability and territorial sovereignty, and praised the UK’s decision in September to recognize Palestinian statehood.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, along with the Director of the Office of His Majesty Alaa Batayneh, also attended the meeting.

In a separate meeting in Amman on Tuesday, Maj. Gen. Yousef Huneiti, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, discussed military cooperation with Vice Adm. Edward Ahlgren, the UK’s defense senior adviser to the Middle East and North Africa.

The meeting discussed regional and international developments, and explored ways to enhance military cooperation with the UK to improve the Jordanian military’s readiness and capabilities in training, armament and coordination, according to Petra.

The UK delegation was briefed on regional security challenges, defense coordination, training exchanges and operational readiness in Jordan, as well as Jordan’s humanitarian and medical efforts in Gaza and the West Bank.

Senior Jordanian officers and the British defense attache attended the meeting to review the implementation of defense agreements and programs aimed at strengthening bilateral military coordination and planning.