His Majesty King Abdullah and Malaysian monarch Syed Sirajuddin bin Syed Putra met on Sunday for talks on the latest developments in the region, challenges facing the Muslim nation and means of further enhancing ties of cooperation in various fields.

The two leaders underlined the importance of mobilizing Arab and Islamic support to reinvigorate the Middle East peace process with the aim of establishing comprehensive and last peace sought for by peoples in the region.

They also voiced Jordan and Malaysia's support for Lebanon as it recovers from the Israeli bombardment of the country and rebuilds. Their talks also addressed the situation in Iraq, and the two leaders stressed the need for Islamic support to preserve Iraq's unity, security and stability.

The two leaders also affirmed the need for greater consultation and coordination amongst Muslim states to depict the true essence of Islam and its message of tolerance in face of terror and extremism.

On his part, the Malaysian monarch affirmed King Abdullah's vital role in strengthening peace and stability in the region and in defending Muslim causes. He also expressed his appreciation for Jordan's launch of the Amman Message and its hosting of the International Islamic Conference last year.

King Sirajuddin said Jordan's efforts complement Malaysia's activities to promote coexistence and reconciliation between the Muslim world and other nations and cultures.

On bilateral relations, the two leaders asserted their keenness to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, particularly in economic, cultural and educational spheres.

Jordanian-Malaysian relations are progressively developing, and King Abdullah's several visits to Malaysia have helped further cement relations between the two countries, which enjoy a number of cooperation agreements in the areas such trade, investment, air transport and the joint business council.

Trade volume between Jordan and Malaysia amounts to US$140 million.

There are about 370 Malaysian students pursuing higher studies in Jordanian institutions; about 268 Jordanian students study in Malaysian universities.

Later King Abdullah and Queen Rania hosted a dinner banquet in honor of the Malaysian king and queen, who arrived in Amman earlier in the day on a three-day state visit to Jordan.