Olmert, Jordan's King Abdullah meet in Aqaba
Israeli, Jordanian leaders meet in Abdullah's palace to discuss regional issues ahead of US resident Bush's visit to Israel and the PA next week
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met with Jordan's King Abdullah II in the latter's palace in Aqaba Thursday afternoon.
The two convened in preparation for US President George W. Bush's visit to the region next week. Olmert was accompanied in the visit by his advisor Yoram Turbowicz.
A Jordanian royal spokesman said that "Jordan's efforts to support the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians will stand at the heart of the meeting between Abdullah and Olmert."
The two leaders were also expected to discuss promoting the Arab peace initiative, the threat of fundamentalist Islamic terror and other regional issues.
On Wednesday, the Jordanian leader met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. During the meeting Abdullah urged Israel not to take unilateral steps that might harm the negotiations, and called to suspend Israeli construction works in the territories.
Olmert last visited Jordan in May of this year, with then Vice Premier Shimon Peres. Abdullah has never visited Israel, but maintains warm relations with the country.
Israel continues its own preparations for Bush's visit and plans to ask the president to allow it to maintain operational leeway during talks with the Palestinians. Israel will also seek a demilitarization of the future Palestinian state.
Roni Sofer contributed to the report
