Jordanian, Saudi kings to discuss Israeli-Palestinian talks

Aug 23, 2009, 20:16 GMT

Amman - Jordan's King Abdullah II is to meet Tuesday in Jeddah with Saudi Arabian leaders to discuss the latest efforts to re-launch peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, the Jordanian royal court announced Sunday.

Talks with Saudi King Abdullah are expected to focus on the 'latest Middle East developments, particularly efforts under way to re-establish peace and stability in the region,' a Jordanian royal court statement said.

The Jordanian monarch's trip to Saudi Arabia is part of a new drive to invigorate peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, which appeared to have retreated since the election in Israel of a right-wing government that has so far failed to clearly endorse the two-state solution supported by US President Barack Obama.

Earlier Sunday, King Abdullah shrugged off cool ties with Israel and talked by telephone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging a speedy resumption of 'serious and effective talks' with the Palestinians to pave the ground for the two-state vision.

Sunday's call and the upcoming meeting in Jeddah follow King Abdullah's telephone conversation Thursday with Obama, whom he urged to step up pressure on Israel for resuming negotiations with the Palestinians toward a two-state solution, which would establish an independent Palestinian state living in peace with Israel.

Abdullah also met Thursday in Amman with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to appraise latest international efforts to restart the peace talks with Israel.