His Majesty King Abdullah II on Monday warned that failure in the peace process will threaten the security and stability of the Middle East.

During separate meetings in Washington with representatives of Arab and Muslim and Jewish organizations in the US, King Abdullah said Israel should be held responsible for its commitments towards the Palestinians as agreed within the framework of the peace process and the Road Map.

The meeting, attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania and members of the Jordanian delegation, came ahead of the King's meeting with US President George W. Bush on Tuesday at the White House.

The King stressed that Israel's continued use of military force against Palestinian civilians will not ensure its security.

King Abdullah said Jordan is working with the US to maintain its peace-making role.

He urged the American organisations to work diligently to sustain the administration's support to the peace process in order to reach a comprehensive peace agreement that leads to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

He also emphasised the role of Arab and Muslim American organisations in underscoring the critical humanitarian situation of the Palestinians in Gaza and the urgent need to assist them.

King Abdullah also urged them to support the Arab Peace Initiative that constitutes the framework for comprehensive, just and lasting settlement to the Arab-Israeli conflict.

The King called on Jewish American organisations to encourage Israel to commit to peace as the only way to ensure security and stability in the region.

King Abdullah explained that Israel should work towards supporting the Palestinian National Authority and easing the difficult living conditions facing the Palestinians.

He also discussed the role that Muslim and Jewish American organisations can play in fostering peace and strengthening bridges of dialogue, understanding, tolerance and coexistence between the Arab and Muslim worlds and the West.