His Majesty King Abdullah on Monday urged Iraqis, regardless of their religious or political affiliations, need to work together to quell sectarian violence in the neighboring country.

King Abdullah made the appeal during a meeting in Amman with Sheikh Harith Dhari, head of the Association of Muslim Scholars.

The King said Jordan supports national reconciliation efforts in Iraq, but warned that Iraq and its people will be the only losers if sectarian violence continues, adding that targeting holy places, whether Sunni or Shiite, the kidnappings and killings violate the sanctity of Muslim blood and the teachings of Islam and all human values.

The meeting, part of King Abdullah's efforts to defuse the Iraqi crisis, precedes US President George W. Bush's visit to Jordan on Wednesday. During the two-day visit, Bush will meet King Abdullah and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri Maliki.