His Majesty King Abdullah II headed on Sunday a session at the World Economic Forum that brought together Arab foreign ministers, heads of the participating Arab delegations as well as the US Secretary of Stat Colin Powell who reiterated keenness of the US administration to push the peace process forward, and implement the roadmap peace plan.



Powell noted the position of the US on the final solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, indicating that there are good opportunities to achieve progress in the peace process.



Powell also touched on the plan of the Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to withdraw from the Gaza Strip. "The US is determined to handover power to the Iraqis at the end of June," he said adding that his country welcomes efforts of the UN envoy Al Akhdar Al Ibrahimi that are designed to achieve security and stability in Iraq.



During the session, which was attended by Prime Minister, Faisal Al Fayez, Hashemite Royal Court Minister Sameer Rifai, Foreign Minister Dr. Marwan Muasher and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, Dr. Bassim Awadallah, the US Secretary said that reform in the Middle East should come from within and should include democracy, openness and pluralism.



Powell expressed hope that the Arab summit in Tunisia would come up with positive results on the reform process in the region.



The Arab ministers on their part, affirmed the importance of transferring power to the Iraqis as soon ass possible, and enabling the Iraqis to determine their future. They also welcomed the US president's condemnation of the mistreatment of Iraqi prisoners at Abu Ghraib prison.



On the reform process, they said that its has already started in some Arab countries, but called for being cautious when talking about the reform process to eliminate any doubts on it.