His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday underscored the need to use the US-proposed international Mideast peace meeting to launch comprehensive negotiations that could lead to a Palestinian-Israeli agreement on final status issues and to an independent Palestinian state.

In remarks he made during a visit to the Royal College of Defence Studies, King Abdullah stressed the centrality of the Palestinian issue, which, he said, is the core conflict between the Arab and Islamic worlds and Israel.

The King emphasized that finding a just solution to the Palestinian issue will bring solutions to several problems in the Middle East.

King Abdullah described as a step in the right direction recent remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on the possibility of genuine progress in the Palestinian-Israeli negotiations before the end of US President George W. Bush's term in office.

During a recent meeting with a US delegation, Olmert described the Mideast peace conference, to be held in Annapolis, as a very important milestone that could garner international support for negotiations based on a two-state solution.

King Abdullah highlighted the importance of seriously tackling core problems related to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in the near future, particularly final status issues.

Achieving a fair and comprehensive peace will result in regional development and stability, he stressed.

Urging the international community to support the Palestinian Authority, the King said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is currently exerting major efforts to prepare a clear agenda for the international conference, which reflects the aspirations of the Palestinians in ending the occupation and establishing an independent Palestinian state.

On Iraq, the King expressed Jordan's support for efforts aimed at a successful national reconciliation process, which, he reiterated, should involve all Iraqis and highlighted the country's keenness to preserve Iraq's unity.

King Abdullah also reviewed Jordan's current developmental programmes targeting education and enhancing youth participation in the process.

During his visit to the military academy, King Abdullah met with several Jordanian and Arab students studying there.

The college, established in 1927, is one of the most renowned defence educational institutions worldwide.