Bush, King Abdullah discuss Middle East peace efforts

US President George W. Bush and Jordan's King Abdullah II held private talks Tuesday on renewed efforts to push for peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The leaders also planned to discuss other regional and bilateral issues during their roughly 90 minutes together.

Last week, Bush called for an international meeting to bring together Israelis, Palestinians and some of their Arab neighbors to discuss issues that have blocked the resumption of peace negotiations and the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel. The Jordanian king, a close US ally, has praised Bush's initiative but wants to explore ways to build on it. (AP)