US politics: Donald Trump meets with King of Jordan as he tries to build support for his Gaza plan

Sitting right next to the King of Jordan today, whose co-operation he needs to eject Gaza’s population, Donald Trump was grilled.

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Donald Trump has met with the King of Jordan, Abdullah II, whose country would theoretically play a central role in his scheme to deport the entire Palestinian population from the Gaza Strip, allowing the United States to take control of the territory.

The President has suggested Jordan could absorb a million of those Palestinians, with Egypt taking the other million or so.

Sitting next to King Abdullah at the White House today, Mr Trump was asked why Jordan should take in the Palestinians, given the King has made it “clear he doesn’t want to”.

“I believe we’ll have a parcel of land in Jordan” Mr Trump said.

“I believe we’ll have a parcel of land in Egypt, we may have some place else, but I think when we finish our talks, we’ll have a place where they’re going to live very happily and very safely.

“With Egypt, I think you’re going to see some great progress. I think with Jordan, you’re going to see some great progress.”

He was referring to upcoming negotiations with a group of Arab nations.

Mr Trump and King Abdullah in the Oval Office. Picture: Saul Loeb/AFP

King Abdullah was diplomatic, presumably seeking to avoid a public confrontation.

“This is something that we as Arabs will be coming to the United States with something, that we’re going to talk about later, to discuss all these options,” he said.

The King also praised Mr Trump as “somebody that can take us across the finish line to bring stability, peace and prosperity to all of us in the region”.

Later, in a statement issued after his visit to the White House, King Abdullah was blunter.

“I reiterated Jordan’s steadfast position against the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank,” he said of his private meeting with Mr Trump.

“This is the unified Arab position. Rebuilding Gaza without displacing the Palestinians and addressing the dire humanitarian situation should be the priority for all.

“Achieving just peace on the basis of the two-state solution is the way to ensure regional stability. This requires US leadership.”

Read on for the latest updates.

Originally published as US politics: Donald Trump meets with King of Jordan as he tries to build support for his Gaza plan