Jordan's king urges Rice to make "progress" in peace moves (Roundup)

Mar 26, 2007, 14:43 GMT

Amman - King Abdullah II of Jordan Monday urged US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to ensure 'tangible progress' in the stalled Palestinian-Israeli peace talks through 'coordination' with all Arab and world parties, according to an official statement.

'The monarch underlined the importance of coordination between the US administration and various Arab and international parties with a view to achieving real and tangible progress' in negotiations between Palestinian and Israeli sides,' the royal court said.

'The king also expressed support for the current US efforts aimed at reviving the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians and resolving the conflict between the two sides in accordance with the two-state formula,' it added.

Rice arrived earlier Monday in Amman from Jerusalem in the course of a regional tour and held talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, their second meeting in less than 24 hours.

Abbas urged Rice's good offices to convince Israel to expand its talks with the Palestinians beyond 'security and humanitarian issues', according to the chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat.

Responding to reporters' questions, Erakat quoted Rice as saying that she 'did not want any changes in the Arab peace plan but rather a mechanism for reinvigorating' the blueprint.

Abdullah urged the United States and Israel to 'adopt the Arab peace initiative as a basis for future negotiations that lead to the setting up of an independent Palestinian state, which lives in peace with Israel'.

He urged Israel 'to deal positively with the Arab peace plan and to avoid losing the historic opportunity it provides for fulfilling the aspirations of all peoples in the region in peace security and peace'.

'From her part, Rice reiterated President George Bush's commitment to a solution based on the two-state vision as well as her keenness on continuing the diplomatic drive with a view to ensuring a resumption of the peace process,' the Jordanian statement said.

The situation in Iraq also cropped up during the monarch's talks with the US Secretary of State.

'Jordan supports all efforts aimed at ensuring the success of national reconciliation in Iraq,' the royal court statement quoted the king as telling Rice.

'In order to succeed, the political process there should involve all components of the Iraqi people,' he added.