His Majesty King Abdullah on Saturday urged the international community to shoulder responsibility for “this critical” stage of the Palestinian cause.

The King told US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice over the telephone that “swift” international action is needed now to help the Palestinians overcome their difficult economic situation and “ensure the sustainability of Palestinian national institutions”.

King Abdullah called on the US administration to double its efforts to resume Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations, particularly in light of Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's talks with US President George W. Bush this week.

The Jordan Times