Jordan: Collapse of Israel-Palestinian talks 'threatens region'

Unilateral measures taken by Israel main obstacle for peace, King Abdullah tells Rice during Amman meeting; stresses importance of increasing America's role in process
Roee Nahmias and AP

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice headed to Amman from Jerusalem on Sunday to meet with Jordanian King Abdullah.

Israeli Gestures

Barak says will allow establishment of Palestinian city / Roni Sofer

Israeli source says US Secretary of State Rice was 'amazed' by Israeli gestures to Palestinians presented during three-way meeting with defense minister, Palestinian prime minister

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The king warned that failure to achieve progress toward (Israeli-Palestinian) peace would ''threaten the region's future'', according to a statement from his palace.

During his meeting with Rice Abdullah accused Israel of taking unilateral measures, particularly regarding the expansion of the West Bank settlements. According to the king, these measures are the main obstacles to regional peace.

Jordan's official news agency, Petra, reported that King Abdullah stressed the importance of increasing America's role in the peace process, including the transfer of economic aid to the Palestinians.

Rice arrived in Jordan following a meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak, during which she was presented with a list of planned gestures to the Palestinians, including the establishment of a new Palestinian city near Ramallah, which would be financed by a Jordanian businessman.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in Jerusalem on Sunday, the US secretary of state said, "The Israelis and the Palestinians have a joint responsibility to create an atmosphere and a reality in which the Palestinians are committed to Israel's security and Israel is committed to the Palestinians' quality of life."