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2018.10.22 11:36 GMT+8

Jordan announces to reclaim lands used by Israel under peace treaty

CGTN

Jordan on Sunday officially informed Israel of its decision not to renew an agreement that leases part of its lands to Israel.

Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs presented two letters to the Israeli Foreign Ministry on Jordan's decision to terminate two annexes respectively in Baqoura and Ghumar areas, according to a ministry statement obtained by Xinhua.

Earlier in the day, Jordan's King Abdullah II said Jordan will terminate Israel's "annexation" of Baqoura and Ghumar areas under the Jordan-Israel peace treaty in 1994.

Twitter screenshot of Jordan's King Abdullah II announcement that his country has notified Israel of its intention to reclaim territories leased under the 1994 peace deal.

The reclaim of Baqoura and Ghumar areas are on Jordan's top agenda, the Jordanian king said on his official Twitter account.

Under the 1994 peace treaty with Israel, Jordan has the right to not renewing an agreement that leases areas in Baqoura, in the northwestern corner of Jordan, and Ghumar, south of the Dead Sea, to Israeli farmers.

US President Bill Clinton (C) applauds as Jordan's King Hussein Ibn Talal (R) and Israeli Premier Yitzhak Rabin shake hands during the Israeli-Jordanian Peace Treaty signing ceremony at the Araba Israeli-Jordanian border on October 26, 1994. /VCG Photo

Under the peace treaty, these leased areas remain under Jordanian sovereignty despite Israeli private land-use rights.

The validity of Israel's lease will expire on October 25.  

Also on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel intends to re-negotiate with Jordan the extension of a 25-year Israeli land lease of the borderlands between the two countries.  

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency
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