King Abdullah warns of new Middle East conflict by next year

May 11, 2009, 7:08 GMT

London - King Abdullah of Jordan has warned that a new Middle East war could break out within 12-18 months unless a peace agreement is reached - but added that the US were finalizing 'ambitious' peace proposals.

In an interview published by the London Times newspaper Monday, the Jordanian monarch said that failure to reach a peace agreement could result in a new conflict within 12 to 18 months.

'If we delay our peace negotiations, then there is going to be another conflict between Arabs or Muslims and Israel in the next 12 to 18 months,' he said.

King Abullah said the US government was finalizing an ambitious '57-state solution' for peace that he is helping to prepare. The plan would include proposals to settle Israel's disputes with Syria and Lebanon.

'If there are no clear signals and no clear directives to all of us, there will be a feeling that this is just another American government that is going to let us all down, said the king.

He also warned that if Israel procrastinated on a two-state solution, or there was no clear US vision on what should happen this year, the 'tremendous credibility' of US President Barack Obama in the Arab world would evaporate.

A '57-state solution' would include all 57 member of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC), said King Abdullah.

'What we are talking about is not Israelis and Palestinians sitting at the table, but Israelis sitting with Palestinians, Israelis sitting with Syrians, Israelis sitting with Lebanese,' he said.

The Times said that a plan could offer Israel entry visas to every Arab country, the right of Israeli national airline El Al to fly over Arab territory, and the eventual recognition of Israel by all OIC members.

Israel would have to respond by halting the construction and expansion of settlements, and agree to withdraw from land taken since 1967. The right of return of Palestinian refugees and the future status of Jerusalem would be negotiated within the framework of the deal.

King Abdullah said the fact that there was now a 'right-wing government' in Israel should not mean that we should 'chuck in the towel.'

There would be a lot of 'shuttle diplomacy' to try to reach a solution over the next few months, he said.