Jordan's King Abdullah calls for Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem

Jordan's King Abdullah II on Sunday reaffirmed his country's support for a Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem, highlighting marked differences with US President Donald Trump's administration on one of the most central issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Jordan's king, who serves as custodian to Islamic holy sites in Israeli annexed-East Jerusalem, told German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier that "we do believe in a two-state solution, with Jerusalem as the capital for the Palestinians".

Steinmeier is currently visiting Jordan and Lebanon.

US President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital on 6 December and declared last week that the city was "off the table".

The move led to outcry from the international community who almost unanimously view Israel's occupation of Palestinian East Jerusalem as illegal.

The Palestinians hope it would become the capital of their future state once agreed in final status negotiations with Israel, according to the 1993 Oslo Accords.

Despite signing a peace treaty in Wadi Araba in 1994, Jordanian-Israeli relations have been strained repeatedly over the past several years, especially over the issue of Jerusalem. 

In December, Jordanian lawmakers voted unanimously to review the peace treaty and all agreements signed with Israel on the back of Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.