His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday held talks with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on bilateral ties and efforts to achieve regional peace.

At the meeting, King Abdullah and Clinton discussed steps that should be taken to guarantee that direct talks between the Palestinians and Israelis achieve tangible progress towards ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of the two-state solution and within a regional context.

King Abdullah and the US official stressed their keenness to boost bilateral cooperation in various fields, particularly in the economic sector.

At the meeting, Clinton informed the King of a decision by the council of representatives of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCM) approving a $275 million grant to finance water projects in Zarqa.

Regarding peace efforts, King Abdullah reiterated that the two-state formula, which guarantees the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state to live in peace and security next to Israel, is the only way to bring security and stability to the region.

The two-state solution is also the only path towards the comprehensive regional peace envisioned in the Arab Peace Initiative.

The top US diplomat briefed the King on direct peace talks in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh on Tuesday. Those talks were followed by further meetings in Jerusalem on Wednesday, the statement said, adding that Clinton also briefed the King on her discussions with Palestinian and Israeli officials over the past two days.

King Abdullah commended the US administration's efforts to help achieve a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and said the US must continue its leading role in the negotiations.

After the talks, attended by Royal Court Chief Nasser Lozi, King's Adviser Ayman Safadi and Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Judeh in addition to several US officials, Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania hosted a lunch for Clinton.