His Majesty King Abdullah on Saturday held talks in Paris with President Nicolas Sarkozy on bilateral ties and regional developments.

During talks, which continued over a dinner banquet attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania, the two leaders stressed the crucial importance of the time factor, urging parties to seize the opportunity at hand to make peace in the Middle East on the basis of a two-state solution.

The King also discussed with the French president the role of France in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

The two leaders also said it was important to support the Palestinian Authority as it pursues stronger institutions and better living conditions for its people.

On Lebanon, the King reiterated Jordan's support for all efforts aimed at national consensus and the election of a new president to end the months-old political deadlock in this Arab country.

The King and Queen arrived in France in the first leg of a European tour that also includes Slovenia and Austria, where he will discuss with top officials European efforts to help find a solution to the Middle East conflict.

In Slovenia, which currently holds the European Union rotating presidency, the King will meet President Danilo Turk.

King Abdullah is then due to travel to Vienna for talks with President Heinz Fischer.

Early January, the King held talks with Sarkozy in Aqaba that covered bilateral cooperation and means to boost them in various domains and developments in the Middle East.

Thanking France for its support of Jordan in buying back Paris Club debt, the King also discussed with Sarkozy cooperation regarding Jordan's nuclear energy programme for peaceful use.