His Majesty King Abdullah on Saturday underlined the need for serious and effective negotiations to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on the two-state solution as soon as possible and not to embark on a new peace process.

At a meeting with US envoy to the Middle East George Mitchell, King Abdullah said there was no time to waste and urged immediate action to enter into negotiations that render tangible steps towards the two-state solution. This, he said, is the only way to bring about security and stability in the region.

The King said the creation of an independent Palestinian state on Palestinian national soil, in accordance with international resolutions and the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, is a precondition to achieve security for all in the Middle East.

King Abdullah also commended the positive indicators from the new US administration on the importance of realising regional peace and building ties with Arab and Islamic countries based on mutual interests and respect.

The King said he highly valued the US administration's prompt action to play an effective role in the peace process.

King Abdullah also held a one-to-one meeting with Mitchell following the discussions.

Mitchell's tour of the region also included Egypt, Israel and Palestinian territories, and will be concluded in Saudi Arabia and Europe.

In statements to Al Arabiyya following his meeting with the US envoy, King Abdullah reiterated that the Palestinians must be supported by working to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of the two-state solution.

The King also expressed optimism about the US' role in the efforts to achieve peace in the region.

“We are at the beginning, but I am very optimistic… and I believe the Americans are serious about the future of Palestine and the Palestinian state,” King Abdullah said.

“If we want to serve the Palestinian people, we should dedicate some time to the [Arab Peace Initiative] so that we could give the new [US] administration the time to develop their strategy,” the King added.

“I believe there is a strong commitment by President Obama to start a new chapter with Arab and Muslim countries,” the King said, adding that the US administration needs a few months to develop its work plan in this regard.