His Majesty King Abdullah returned home Monday following an official visit to New York where he headed the Jordanian delegation to the 65th session of the UN General Assembly and the UN summit on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

In a speech delivered at the meetings of the UN General Assembly, King Abdullah said a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is the only settlement that can bring permanent peace to the Middle East, stressing that the establishment of an independent, viable and sovereign Palestinian state alongside Israel paves the way for achieving comprehensive regional peace.

The King warned that the alternative to peace is more suffering and frustration that will destabilize the Middle East and possibly lead to war, which will affect the entire world.

Addressing the UN summit on the MDGs, held under the title “We can End Poverty by 2015”, King Abdullah said that Jordan has integrated the MDGs into its national strategy of structural reform and sustainable economic growth.

He also met during his visit with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and a number of leaders and delegations attending the summit to discuss ongoing efforts to bring about peace in the region.

Discussions also focused on steps necessary to ensure tangible progress in direct Palestinian-Israeli peace talks.

King Abdullah extended his visit to the US to be with Her Majesty Queen Rania as she underwent a medical procedure in a New York hospital to correct an irregular heart rhythm.

The procedure went smoothly and Queen Rania is well and in good spirits. She will remain in hospital for two nights while she recuperates.