Govt seeks to end Israel land lease

Jordan says it plans to end a lease of two areas of land to Israel that was agreed in annexes to the 1994 peace treaty between the two countries.

The areas are Naharayim in the north and Tzofar in the south, known as Baqura and Ghamr in Arabic.

The lease governing them was for 25 years and had been due for renewal.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel would negotiate over “extending arrangement”.

Earlier King Abdullah of Jordan issued a statement saying it wanted to end the lease, which has seen the two areas, covering a total of about 405 hectares (1,000 acres), cultivated by Israeli farmers.

The areas had always been a “top priority” for Jordan and the decision was based on “our keenness to take whatever is necessary for Jordan and Jordanians”, the statement said. the current