Jordan, Saudi Arabia urge progress in peace talks (Roundup)

Jul 30, 2010, 21:32 GMT

Amman - Leaders of Jordan and Saudi Arabia on Friday called for 'tangible progress' in the peace negotiations between the Palestinians and Israel in the run-up to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, according to a joint communique.

Saudi King Abdullah arrived in Amman earlier in the day on the fourth and final stop of an Arab tour and held talks with Jordan's King Abdullah II which observers expected to focus on the outcome of the ongoing US-brokered proximity talks between the Palestinian Authority and Israel.

'The two leaders stressed the need for the world community to intensify efforts in order to achieve tangible progress in the peace process that should lead to the two-state solution,' the statement said.

The statement lacked any reference to the transition to direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians, which is reportedly backed by both countries.

The Arab follow-up committee, which includes the foreign ministers of the two pro-West countries, met in Cairo on Thursday and recommended moving to direct negotiations at a time to be decided by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

The two Arab leaders also renewed their countries' 'support to the Palestinian people in their endeavours to regain their national rights including freedom and statehood.'

The two monarchs urged Iraqi parliamentary blocs to speed up the formation of a 'national unity government that includes all components of the Iraqi people'.

They also discussed the latest developments in Lebanon and expressed backing for the country's stability and national reconciliation.