His Majesty King Abdullah II Friday discussed with Congress members Jim Colvy, head of Allocations Committee of the Senate and Christopher Chase, member of Budget Committee, the latest political developments in the region and Jordanian American relations in the political and economic fields.

During the meeting, attended by the American ambassador in Jordan Edward Ghuneim, His Majesty stressed that the key to peace and stability in the region is the solution of the Palestinian cause and Israel's withdrawal from the occupied Arab territories.

He pointed out to the necessity to speed up implementation of the road map which includes the establishment of a Palestinian state in 2005.

His Majesty reaffirmed the importance of the American role in paving the way to start negotiations between the Palestinian and Israeli sides.

The discussions focused also on the latest developments in Iraq, where His Majesty affirmed the necessity to work for letting the Iraqi people determine by themselves their future and choose their leadership.

His Majesty pointed out to the American and British troops' responsibility to restore stability and security to Iraq, and keeping Iraq's territorial integrity.

Concerning bilateral relations between Jordan and USA, His Majesty expressed appreciation on the congress and US administration's understanding to the Kingdom's economic needs. He pointed out that the American assistance to Jordan contributed to confronting the current challenges, particularly as Jordan is implementing ambitious development and economic programs that seek mainly to invest in educating and rehabilitating the Jordanian human being.

Colvy and Chase hailed the performance of the Jordanian economy during the past year and this year as well. They pointed out that the success Jordan achieved in the fields of development forms a model in a region full of challenges.

Colvy expressed the Congress's support to Jordan to enable it go on in achieving sustainable development.

This Year, USA offered $450m. economic and military assistance, and the Congress approved recently $ 1 billion and 100 million additional aid to the Kingdom, $ 700 million of them economic aid and $400 million military aid.

The recent assistance helps the Jordanian budget achieve the aims enlisted in the budget law and to go on supporting the vital sectors, particularly education, water and health.