His Majesty King Abdullah II Tuesday opened talks with U.S. President George Bush, who thanked the King for his message on reforms in the Middle East addressed to the G-8 summit last week.



The two sides discussed issues in the Arab region with special reference to the situation in the Palestinian areas and Iraq and reform plans in the Middle East.



King Abdullah affirmed that Israel's pullout from Gaza Strip should be complete and should be the first step for withdrawal from the West Bank leading eventually to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. All these steps should be part of the roadmap peace plan, King Abdullah said.



The two sides expressed satisfaction over the current international efforts designed to create the appropriate atmosphere to resume the political process and get the peace process out of its current stalemate. Such efforts include the international quartet committee meeting next week and the ongoing talks between the Palestinians and Israelis to back Palestinian economy and security plans.



Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher, who attended the talks, said coordination is underway between Jordan and Egypt to train Palestinian security personnel and help build Palestinian security forces.



On the Iraqi issue, King Abdullah reiterated Jordan's total support to the newly formed Iraqi government, which he sees as a positive step to end occupation and restore full sovereignty to the Iraqi people.



King Abdullah who warned against the ongoing violence in Iraq that claims lives of so many civilians, said the UN and the international community should have a key role in Iraq.



Within this context, Muasher, who was speaking to Petra, noted the forthcoming Arab stance where Iraqi police and army units and other government cadres are being trained in Jordan.


He said security situation in Iraq should come under control to help continue the political process and reach full independence in Iraq.



Following the Tunis Arab summit, what is needed now is a reform plan in the Arab countries that makes the Arab national feel that something is changing on the ground, Muasher told Petra.



Before meeting President Bush, King Abdullah met a group of U.S. senators and deputies, where he explained his views and the Arab stand on hot regional issues.



A just solution to the Palestinian problem would serve as a starting point to settle several issues in the region, King Abdullah told the U.S. legislators. He noted the marked drop in the number of Christians visiting the Holy Land because of the ongoing conflict between the Palestinians and Israelis.



The King reaffirmed that Islam is a religion of justice and tolerance and what terrorists are doing in the name religion is rejected by all Moslems, said the King noting the brotherly bonds between Moslems and Christians in Jordan.