Jordan and Saudi Arabia called on Israel Sunday to take genuine and serious steps to demonstrate willingness to reach peace and bring an end to the decades-long Arab-Israeli conflict.

By doing so, Israel would have the chance to live in stability and security with its Arab neighbours, the two countries stressed.

During a meeting in Riyadh between His Majesty King Abdullah and King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, both leaders discussed political developments in the Middle East and efforts to render Annapolis peace meeting a success.

King Abdullah briefed the Saudi leader on the outcome of contacts he has made over the past days to develop a unified Arab stand ahead of the US-hosted gathering, which His Majesty described as a true opportunity to create an appropriate atmosphere for the Palestinians and Israelis to launch serious negotiations and realise tangible results leading to the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

The two leaders stressed the need to best utilise the meeting to reach permanent solutions to final status issues, chief among which is Jerusalem, the borders and the refugees in accordance with a specific time frame and clear follow-up mechanisms.

King Abdullah and the Saudi leader emphasised that settling the Arab-Israeli conflict and realising a just and comprehensive peace should be based on relevant international resolutions and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative.

During the talks, which continued over a lunch banquet in honour of His Majesty and the accompanying delegation, the two leaders stressed the need for coordinating efforts to activate joint Arab cooperation and work and said it was important to continue to stand up to the challenges facing the Arab nation.

On Iraq, the two leaders emphasised their support for efforts aimed to preserve unity, stability and sovereignty of this Arab country.

Talks also covered Lebanon, with the two leaders calling on Lebanese political streams and powers to resort to serious dialogue that leads to preserving the security, stability and sovereignty of their country and reaching a consensus over the presidential election.

On bilateral ties, the two leaders stressed keenness to boost cooperation in various fields and exert efforts to enhance them.

The Jordanian delegation included Royal Court Chief Bassem Awadallah, the King's Adviser for Tribal Affairs Sharif Fawwaz Zaben, General Intelligence Department Director Lieutenant General Mohammad Dahabi and Jordan's Ambassador in Riyadh Qaftan Majali.

Also Sunday, the King received a phone call from Syrian President Bashar Assad. They discussed preparations for the Annapolis meeting and bilateral ties.