His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday described the Annapolis peace meeting in the US as an essential and serious jump-start towards ending the Israeli occupation and establishing a Palestinian state by the end of next year, in accordance with a fixed time frame.

He told visiting US senators Daniel K. Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) that it was important to maintain the momentum brought about by the international meeting and to keep going to realize a just and permanent peace in the region on all negotiation tracks. Such a solution, he said, should be based on relevant international resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative and the roadmap.

King Abdullah said Jordan will continue its efforts to help the Palestinians and Israelis overcome obstacles in the way to reach just resolutions to final status issues and, subsequently, the creation of an independent Palestinian state on Palestinian national soil in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Discussions also covered the situation in Iraq and efforts exerted to restore security and stability in this Arab country, which the two senators have visited recently.

On bilateral ties, King Abdullah voiced appreciation for US support to the Kingdom and assistance which, he said, helps Jordan implement several economic and development plans.

The two senators said they appreciated the King's major role in bringing about peace and stability to the region.

Royal Court Chief Bassem Awadallah and US Ambassador in Amman David Hale attended the meeting.

Also Wednesday, King Abdullah received Haj Ahmed Al Gaily, chairman of the Sudanese armed forces' joint chiefs-of-staff, who was on a visit to the Kingdom. During the meeting, attended by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff General Khaled Sarayreh, both sides discussed fields of cooperation between the two countries.

King Abdullah, the Supreme Commander of the Jordan Armed Forces, paid a visit to the JAF Headquarters, where he discussed with Sarayreh issues of concern to the military.