His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday reviewed with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas progress in peace negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis and efforts to push these talks forward.

The King reiterated Jordan's support for the Palestinian Authority's efforts to realize substantial progress in the peace process through serious negotiations that address final status issues in accordance with a comprehensive plan.

Also on Tuesday, the King sent a letter to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on regional developments and Jordanian-Egyptian and inter-Arab coordination on current issues in the Middle East.

Royal Court Chief Bassem Awadallah, who presented the letter to the Egyptian president, also conveyed His Majesty's greetings to Mubarak.

Egyptian presidential spokesman Suleiman Awwad said the letter focused on developments in the Palestinian issue, the situation in the occupied territories, efforts by Jordan and Egypt to contain the situation and current negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis.

At Tuesday's meeting with Abbas, His Majesty urged Israel to respond positively to efforts to bring about a just and permanent peace by halting unilateral policies and practices, chief among them the expansion of settlements, lifting the siege imposed on the Palestinians, opening the border crossing and removing barriers.

The King also highlighted the responsibility the international community shoulders in continuing to support and encourage the Palestinians and Israelis to arrive at a final solution to the Palestinian issue, the core conflict in the region.

The final solution should be in line with the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative and the international resolutions, leading to the creation of an independent Palestinian state on their land, King Abdullah said.

Abbas also briefed the His Majesty on the results of his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday as part of efforts to push forward the peace process.

In press statements following his meeting with the King, Abbas said he is scheduled to visit Washington and Moscow to discuss the agenda of an international conference to be held in Russia, adding that his talks with US President George W. Bush will focus on final status issues and the situation in Palestine.

Abbas said he discussed with King Abdullah the issues he will look into during his visit to Moscow and the US as part of coordinating efforts.