Jordan's King, Abbas meet in Washington

WASHINGTON, April 23 (Xinhua) -- Jordan's King Abdullah II and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas met here Wednesday hours after the Jordanian monarch's brief meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush at the White House, a Jordanian diplomat said.

Ahead of Abbas's meeting with Bush Thursday, Abdullah briefed Abbas on his talks with Bush, local press quoted the unidentified Jordanian diplomat as reporting.

The King spoke of the importance of U.S. involvement and Washington's role in overcoming obstacles to the Middle East peace process.

"He (Abdullah) emphasized the importance of intensifying the diplomatic efforts internationally but also the U.S. role to help move things forward between both the Palestinians and the Israelis," said the Jordanian diplomat.

Bush had a brief breakfast meeting with Abdullah at the White House Wednesday morning, the White House said.

It was a private meeting between Bush and the King of Jordan, who arrived and left within the span of an hour. No details of their talks are immediately available.

Abdullah arrived here at Bush's invitation to discuss negotiations between the Palestinians and Israelis, the latest developments in the Mideast and ties between the United States and Jordan, the Jordanian Embassy said.

Bush, who visited the Middle East in January, is expected to go back to the region next month.