His Majesty King Abdullah II, discussed onWednesday with the US Deputy National Security Advisor, Stephen Hadley, the future of the peace process and the Israeli plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip.



His Majesty, affirmed during the meeting which was attended by the King's Advisor for Security Affairs and Director of the Intelligence department, General Saad Kheir, the importance of ensuring that the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza would be part of the roadmap, and that it would form a start for a full Israeli withdrawal from the occupied Palestinian lands. "The Israeli withdrawal should also lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state," the King said.



The delegation accompanying Mr. Hadley comprised Assistant of the US President for the Middle Eastern Affairs, Elliott Abrams, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, William Burns, the US ambassador to Jordan, Edward Gnehm and a number of US senior officials.