His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday told Israeli newspaper Yediot Aharanot that most of the Palestinians aspire for peace and support a peaceful settlement.

In an interview with Smadar Peri, the King said there was a desire to reach an agreement that would lead to the two-state solution; a Palestinian state that lives side by side with Israel.

Jordan will do its best to help push the peace process forward at the next stage, King Abdullah added.

"Jordan is Jordan, and Palestine is Palestine," the King told the journalist on the eve of a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, stressing that the Kingdom will never be a substitute homeland for anybody.

His Majesty voiced concerns over any unilateral moves that might deprive the Palestinians of their legitimate and internationally recognized right for an independent state.

King Abdullah stressed that several conditions need to be met before progress in negotiations can take place. First of all, he said, the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territories must be resolved; secondly, the international community needs to support President Mahmoud Abbas both politically and financially, so that he can maintain national unity; thirdly, unilateral plans must be avoided. In addition, Hamas must respect and recognize the Arab Peace Initiative; and finally, Israel and the Palestinians must renew their commitment to the roadmap.

The King said a Palestinian referendum on the Prisoners' Document could be a chance for consensus and would give Abbas, “the partner on the Palestinian side,” an opportunity to achieve unity.

The Jordan Times