His Majesty King Abdullah II on Thursday said that sending Arab troops to Iraq is an Iraqi affair.

In response to a BBC TV question about sending Jordanian troops to help Iraqis, His Majesty said that such an issue has not been discussed with the Iraqi side. Once Again I say if there is something that we can provide, a service to the future of Iraqis, then we will definitely study that proposal, His Majesty added.

The King stressed Jordan's readiness to offer every support to the Iraqi people. He pointed out that the challenges the Iraqis face regarding the security file will be their major problem and that they are in need of the help of all.

Responding to a question about sending Jordanian troops to Iraq, His Majesty said, now with the existence of an interim Iraqi government we hope a wholly separate process could take place in Iraq as soon as possible. I suppose that if the Iraqi side would ask directly our help it will be difficult for us to say to them no. and that my message to the Iraqi President and Prime Minister is tell us what you want.. and how can we provide assistance.. and we will give our full support.. and if we would not side by them and if they would fail , we all will pay the price.

About the trial of Saddam Hussein, His Majesty said that the trial is the first test new Iraq faces. It is clear that there will be great interest in how to achieve Iraqi justice, and I hope that in a time in which it seems that such a trial is the first major issue Iraqis will deal with.. old Iraq.. I hope that will take place through law, justice and fairness.

Responding to a question, His Majesty pointed out that the driving force to all problems in the Middle East is the Palestinian Israeli issue. I see that the Iraqi issue "it might be difficult for the peoples of Britain and USA to understand the situation in such a way" is a secondary one. The major issue that nourishes all forms of instability in the Middle East is the Palestinian Israeli issue. Until this issue is solved stability in the Middle East will not be achieved.

His Majesty pointed out to the images of Israeli tanks, which are American made, confronting Palestinians and Iraqis. That would make the situations more difficult for our friends in the west to say that they are there in the Middle East for the region's interests, because people do not see any move on the Palestinian Israeli issue level and look to what is taking place in Iraq with suspicion and feel that it is another form of occupation.

Responding to question, His Majesty said that there is an American President who is the first to talk about establishment of a viable independent Palestinian state.. and has set a time table for such a job on 2005.

The King urged US to pressure all parties in order to move the peace process forward through the road map.