His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday stressed during a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas the need for intensive efforts to build on the positive opportunity provided by the Annapolis peace meeting.

With apparent Arab and international support for the meeting, the King and Abbas discussed ways to achieve actual and tangible progress in the peace process.

During a meeting at the Royal Court, Abbas briefed the King on the outcome of the Annapolis conference and on his talks last week with US President George W. Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

King Abdullah reiterated that the Annapolis meeting paved the way for the Palestinians and Israelis to launch serious negotiations, which, he said, should lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state, and the implementation of a “two-state” formula.

He also highlighted the importance of continued support from the international community for the success of upcoming negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis in the aftermath of the Annapolis meeting.

King Abdullah reiterated Jordan's support for the Palestinians.

Stressing that the negotiations should be based on related international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative, the King pointed out the need to have follow-up mechanisms to be implemented in accordance with a set timetable.

The two sides also discussed efforts to ensure the success of the Paris donors' conference, which France is hosting on December 17, in order to provide necessary aid for the Palestinian Authority (PA) and to help it build national institutions.