Ladies and gentlemen, the president of the United States and his majesty, king abdulla ii. Econd abdullah thank you very much. Majesty, thank you for being with us today. I very much appreciate it. This is our second meeting since my i not duration and i duration, a very special place, i can tell you that. I have gotten to know it well. Long hours. Very special. It is an honor to welcome you here today, but before we begin, let me say a few words about recent events. , aterday, chemical attack chemical attack that was so horrific, in syria, against innocent people, including women , small children, and even beautiful little babies. Their deaths was an affront to humanity. These heinous actions by the assad regime cannot be tolerated. The United States stands with our allies across the globe to condemn this horrific attack, and all other horrific attacks, for that matter. Your majesty, jordania are knowfor thr gear spality. W be equally gracious hosts. Theyre also known, however, i have to say this, for their fighting ability. And you are a great warrior. And we appreciate it. Thank you. The historical ties and close friendship between our two countries dates back three quarters of a century. In that time, the middle east has faced many periods of crisis and unrest. Perhaps never like it is today, however. Through them all, americas looked to jordan has a as a valued partner, an advocate for the values of civilization, and a source of stability and hope. I am deeply committed to preserving our strong relationship, which i will, and to strengthening americas longstanding support for jordan. And you do have tremendous support within our country. I can tell you that. As we know, the middle east and the entire world is faced with one of its gravest threats in many, many years. Since the earliest days of the campaign against isis, jordan has been a staunch ally and partner and we thank you for that. Jordanian Service Members have made tremendous sacrifices in this battle against the enemies of civilization, and i want to thank all of them for their really just incredible courage. So many have been lo and we pay homage. So many. In king abdullah, ericas blessed with a thoughtful and determined partner. Hes a man whos spent years commanding his countrys special forces. He really knows what being a soldier is. That i can tell you. And he knows how to fight. The king has been a leader in calling for a plan to defeat isis once and for all. And im with you on that. Were both leaders on that. Believe me. Thats what we speak about today , and that is what we are going to do. Fight will be a shorter than a lot of people are thinking about. Believe me. We have made tremendous strides , as we discussed. As you know, we had a very, very fine delegation come over from egypt and also from iraq. And they said more has been done in the last six weeks than has been done in years with the Previous Administration. And believe me. Were going to keep it that way. We will destroy isis. And well protect civilization. We have no choice. We will protect civilization. King abdullah and i also discuss measures to combat the evil and ideology that inspires isis and plagues our planet. In addition, we also acknowledge the vital role that jordan has played in hosting refugees from the conflict in syria. We have Just Announced that the United States will contribute additional funds to jordan for humanitarian assistance. This aid will help countries like jordan host refugees until it is safe for them to return home. The refugees want to return home. I know that from so many other instances. They want to return back to their home. And thats a goal of any responsible refugee policy. Finally, as we discussed, to advance the cause of peace in the middle east, including peace between the israelis and the palestinians, and im working very, very hard on trying to finally create peace between the palestinians and israel. And i think well be successful. I hope to be successful. I can tell you that. The king has been a a really tireless advocate for a solution. Hes going to help me with that and help me at the highest level. And we will be consulting with him very closely in the days ahead. King abdullah, i want to take this opportunity to thank you for your partnership. Working together, the United States and jordan can help bring peace and stability to the middle east and, in fact, the entire world and we will do that. Thank you very, very much for being with us. [applause] mr. President , thank you for such a kind and warm welcome to the white house. I fondly remember the meetings we have had many years ago and more recently, several months ago. Youve always been a generous host and have always looked after us. We are very delighted with the way the discussions have gone so far. And were delighted to be here in such a wonderful setting and such a beautiful day, which i think is a tremendous mark of how were going to move into the future. Weve had a very good round of talks today, and ilooking forward to continue these discussions later on in our meetings after the press conference. What i do want to say is how much we deeply appreciate the close relations with the United States, with you, mr. President , and with the American People. This is a Strategic Partnership that we call and keep very close to our hearts and it is a partnership on so many levels that well continue i think with the frank discussion that is we that we had today to improve on, as we chased the face the challenges of the future. And im very delighted for your your vision, your holistic approach and the dedication of your team in being able to translate your policy into actions hopefully as we move forward. The challenges we face are many and not exclusive to my region as i mentioned. Theyre global and particularly the threats to global security. Terrorism has no borders, no nationality, no religion and therefore joint action with a holistic approach is crucial. Im very delighted that you have the vision to move in that direction and i think that the world will be in a very good place as we move with all these challenges ahead. No doubt with all the challenges we face in the world, the role of the u. S. Is key to all the issues that we have around the world. But its not just the fact that we should expect United States to do all the heavy lifting. The heavy lifting is done by us in the International Community to support the United States in being able to translate that vision into the right direction so theres a lot of responsibility for all of us in the International Community to support the president , the administration and the American People to bring brighter days to all of us. We are very encouraged with the president s determination to support arab and Muslim States in the fight against terrorism. But it is not only the fight of terrorism inside of our societies, but we as Arab Muslim States behind the International Community to defeat is international scourge. In syria, we need a political solution that ends the conflict. In the country and preserve its unity and territorial integrity. As the president mentioned, the with thediscussed israelipalestinian conflict, which is essentially the core conflict in our regionand the president s early engagement is beginning and bringing the palestinians and israelis together has been a very encouraging sign for all of us and i think, sir, it was that initiative that allowed us at the arab summit last week to extend through the Arab Peace Initiative the message of peace to israel and hopefully working hopefully we will Work Together to make that come about. All arab countries relaunched the Arab Peace Initiative as i said last week. It offers a historic reconciliation between israel and the palestinians, as well as all Member States of the arab league and it is the most comprehensive frame work for peace and insurers statehood for the palestinians as well as security and acceptance and normal ties with israel with all arab countries and hopefully all islamic countries so we appreciate your commitment in all these issues. Where others have failed, you will find find a strong ally in jordan and supporting you in all your policies and as you have on syria and the gas attack, unfortunately, as you and i both agree, this is another testament to the failure of the International Diplomacy to find a solution to this crisis but i believe under your leadership we will be able to unravel this very complicated situation. This has been ongoing for seven years now. It has descended to proxy wars of different parties with dubious agendas but at the end of the day its as you pointed out, mr. President , it is the civilians, women and children, that are pang the heaviest price. This is happening on our watch. On our conscience, as well as the global community. I know the passion and emotion that the president expressed in how this should not be tolerated whatsoever, and this threshold of inhumanity and savagery that has been crossed every day is something that i know the president will not allow to happen, wherever it may be, and i ali support and endorse the president in this issue. So i want to thank you, sir, because you have the outlook of looking not just as the syrian challenges but iraq, israel, palestine, libya, everything in the region. I think your message to all of us is a message of hope and thats what i take away from this conference, and i thank you for what you have done so far and all that you will do. [applause] we will take a few questions. Julie pace. Thank you, sir. I have questions on syria for both leaders but if i could start with you, mr. President. You have condemned the Chemical Attacks in syria and appeared in the statement yesterday to pin some of the blame on the Obama Administration. Youre the president now. Do you feel like you bear responsibility for responding to the Chemical Attacks and does the chemical attack cross a red line for you . Well, i think the Obama Administration had a great opportunity to solve this crisis a long time ago when he said the red line in the sand and when he didnt cross that line after making the threat, i think that set us back a long ways, not only in syria but in many other parts of the world because it was a blank threat. I think it was something that was not one of our better days as a country so i do feel that, julie. I feel it very strong. Few feel like you have the responsibility to respond . I now have responsibility and i will have that responsibility and carry it very proudly. I will tell you that. It is now my responsibility. It was a great opportunity missed. As you know, ill be meeting with the president of china very soon in florida. And thats another responsibility we have and thats called the country of north korea. We have a big problem. We have somebody that is not doing the right thing. And thats going to be my responsibility. But ill tell you that responsibility could have made been made a lot easier if it was handled years ago. Before i move on to the king, can i quickly ask you if the chemical attack crosses a red line for you . It crossed a lot of lines for me. When you kill innocent children, innocent babies, babies, little babies, with a chemical gas that is so lethal, people were shocked to hear what gas it was. That crosses many, many lines. Beyond a red line. Many, many lines. Thank you very much. Your majesty, if i could ask about refugees. Your country has really borne the brunt of the refugee crisis in syria. The president signed travel bans to block syrians coming to the u. S. If this goes into effect, what would the impact on your country and across the region be . I think as the president pointed out, most if not all Syrian Refugees actually want to go back to syria. And what were working with the United States and the International Community is to be able to stabilize the refugees in our country, give them the tools so that as were working with the solutions in syria, we have the ability to be able to send them back as positive influence into their economies. And again, the president and the europeans have been very forward leaning in being able to look after our host community. Tremendous burden on our country, but again, tremendous appreciation to the United States and the western countries for being able to help us in dealing with that. Your majesty, how does the outcome of the recent arab summit help the u. S. In its policy to advance palestinian israeli negotiations . As i said, the Arab Peace Initiative came out with a respounding resolution to offer peace to the israelis, to make them feel theyre accepted into the neighborhood. And to be able to support the president as he brings both parties together. Again, i have to remind people that, very early on, there was an early engagement by the president and his team to the israelis and the palestinians to be able to see what he can do to it is the core conflict for a lot of us in the region. The president knows this. He has his instincts in the right place and working with his team. Our job as i said is to do the heavy lifting. The arabs are prepared to do whatever they can to bring israelis and palestinians together under the leadership of the president. Thank you. John yang. Reporter thank you, mr. President. Id like to follow up on julies question. And press you more on syria. How will you distinguish your policy an your actions on syria from the inaction that you criticized the Previous Administration . You say its now your responsibility. What should we see or we should look for to be different . Your majesty, id like to ask you, this is now your second meeting with the president. What gives you the optimism that mr. Trump will succeed in the Israeli Palestinian conflict where so many others have failed before him to be a broker for peace . Pres. Trump i like to think of myself as a very flexible person. I dont have to have one specific way and if the world changes i go the same way. I dont change. Well, i do change. And i am flexible. And im proud of that flexibility. And i will tell you that attack on children yesterday had a big impact on the. The impact. That was a horrible, horrible thing. And ive been watching it and seeing it and it doesnt get any worse than that. And i have that flexibility. And its very, very possible and i will tell you its already happened that my attitude toward syria and assad has changed very much. And if you look back over the last few weeks, there were other attacks using gas. Youre now talking about a whole different level. So, as you know, i would love to have never been in the middle east. I would love to have never seen that whole, big situation start. But once it started, we got out the wrong y. And isis formed in the vacuum and lots of bad things happened. I will tell you what happened yesterday is unacceptable to me. Reporter could i follow up, sir . Last year you seemed to be reluctant to get involved or to intervene in syria directly. Is that one thing thats changed after yesterday . Pres. Trump well, one of the things i think you have noticed about me is militarily i dont like to say where im going and what im doing. And i watched past administrations say we will attack at such and such a day at such and such an hour. And you being a warrior you would say, why are they saying that . Im sure you sat back in jordan and said, why are they saying that . I watched mosul where the past administration was saying we will be attacking in four months. And i said, why are they doing that . Then a month goes by and they say, we will be attacking in three months. And then two months and then we will be attacking next week. Im saying, why are they doing that . As you know, mosul turned out to be a much harder fight than anyone thought. And a lot of people have been lost in that fight. Im not saying im doing anything one way or the other , but im certainly not going to be telling you as much as i respect you, john. Thank you. Sir, i think on behalf of the president , what i saw was an early engagement by the president and his team with all of us in the region about the challenges between the israelis and palestinians. I had the honor of seeing the president and his team again in january, where this was discussed. The president understands nuances and challenges. I think he has the courage and dedication to be able to do this. Like i said before, all of us have a responsibility to help the president push us over the finish line. And so, his team has been in the region. Theyve been talking to all the partners. And its our job to facilitate the atmospherics between the israelis and palestinians to move together and give the support to the president to be able to smooth the edges over between israelis and palestinians to achieve this. The president understands if we dont solve the problem, how do we win the global fight against terrorism which is the number one priority . This is a core issue he understands and i think he has the commitment and my full support for this as he does from many, many countries in our region. Pres. Trump i have to say that the world is a mess. I inherited a mess. Whether its the middle east. Whether its north korea. Whether its so many other things. Whether its in our country, horrible trade deals. I inherited a mess. We are going to fix it. We are going to fix it. Ok. Reporter thank you, your majesty. You touch upon the subject now but if i ask you to look forward, how do you see the future of fighting terrorism post raqqah and mosul, especially the role that jordan will play in eastern part of iraq . And you believe the real battle will start that . If i may, mr. President , you know very well that the iranian militias and hezbollah is propping the reseem for a while now, a few years. Will you go after them . What message will you give them today and will you speak with the russians to ground the Syrian Air Force and to establish safe zones . Thank you. Well, the first part is that were seeing a very recently tremendous gains on the ground in raqqah and mosul. Again, i think as the president alluded to, it is difficult to put time lines on the issue because the battle space is always very fluid. But i think that the war is being won on the ground. Having said that, terrorists are on the move. Theyll be on the move inside of iraq and inside of syria so that we have to make sure that we adapt our plans accordingly and beyond borders beyond the region and elsewhere. As we and the administration have discussed, its this holistic approach. How do we fight them wherever they are . I think thats the understanding. Terrorists have no respect for borders and religions and people. So its the seriousness of how we do the holistic approach i mentioned several times and what im really delighted is that the understanding by the president and the administration in how to deal with this globally, and i think youre seeing a move in the right direction because the policy now is being charted out and my discussions with the defense secretary and the foreign secretary allows us to be then able to decide how we adapt ourselves in the region to be able to come in line with International Diplomacy. Pres. Trump the iran deal made by the Previous Administration is one of the worst deals i have ever witnessed. And i have witnessed some butte beauties. Its one of the worst deals i have ever witnessed. It should never have been made. It was totally one sided against the United States and, frankly, against much of the middle east. I will do whatever i have to do. They have a deal. It was some people say not done properly even in the form of its finalization. There was no vote from congress. There was no real ratification. But i will do what i have to do with respect to the iran deal. As far as isis is concerned, the United States will work with whoever its appropriate to work with to totally eradicate isis and other terrorists. And by the way, isis is one group, but others have formed. Frankly, they are all over the place. We will do what we have to do to eradicate terrorism. Reporter but sir, im talking about the iranian militias in syria. Supporting the Syrian Regime separate of the deal. What message do you have for them today . Pres. Trump you will see. They will have a message. You will see what the message will be. Ok . Thank you. Thank you all very much. Thank you. [captions Copyright National cable satellite corp. 2017] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. Visit ncicap. Org] [inaudible] announcer Senate Foreign relations Ranking Member ben cardin and marco rubio criticized syrian president Bashar Alassad and the russian government following a chemical attack against the syrian people. The attack left dozens dead including at least 30 children. The lawmakers spoke with a News Conference during a press conference on capitol hill. This is 20 minutes. Morning, its a pleasure to be here with senator rubio. I think senator rubio is one of the great leaders in the United States congress on human rights. He speaks with moral clarity, which is something i believe is extremely important. And hes done that with human rights issues around the world