His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday said the regional status quo had the potential to deteriorate into more tension and other negative consequences that would threaten the region's future stability and security.

King Abdullah made the remarks during meetings at the US Congress that addressed Jordanian-American ties and developments in the Middle East.

The King met with the US Senate committees on foreign relations and appropriations and the US House Subcommittee on Foreign Operations.

In remarks to the press following a meeting with Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, King Abdullah said: “Yesterday, we had a very fruitful and successful summit with the president. But we are also here to discuss with the president the challenges of the Middle East, namely the peace process.”

King Abdullah said that at his Monday meeting with President Barack Obama, discussions covered coordination with the US to advance the Middle East peace process.

He said his discussions with congressional panels focused on bilateral issues and means to attain peace and stability in the Middle East.

In her remarks, Pelosi said: “When I became speaker, the first head of state that I invited to speak to a joint session of Congress was King Abdullah. He gave us the benefit of his thinking at the time, and we continue to count on the benefit of his wisdom. His views are sought here; his judgement is respected; and his friendship is valued.”

Pelosi, who commended the King's distinguished leadership and efforts to attain Middle East peace, said: “King Abdullah has been a leader, a respected leader.”

King Abdullah's talks at the Congress addressed the US role in jump-starting serious and effective Palestinian-Israeli negotiations that lead to the establishment of an independent and viable Palestinian state alongside Israel.

He reiterated that the two-state solution is the sole way to achieve stability and security in the region.

At the meetings, King Abdullah warned that unilateral Israeli measures in Jerusalem constituted a danger and emphasised the need to halt all measures that seek to change realties on the ground.

King Abdullah also voiced appreciation for US assistance to Jordan that enables the Kingdom to implement development programmes and projects in different sectors.

The meetings, which included the Friends of Jordan Caucus in the US Senate as well as the caucus at the House of Representatives, addressed ways to enhance the Jordanian-American partnership.

The Friends of Jordan Caucus in the US Senate was launched in April 2009 in Washington in the presence of Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties between Jordan and the US.

The Friends of Jordan Caucus at the House of Representatives was launched in 2007 upon an initiative by Republican and Democratic representatives. It was the first such an assembly formed with an Arab country.