Abdullah holds secret summit with Olmert, Barak

Jordan's King Abdullah summoned Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Ehud Barak to his palace in Amman on Tuesday night and implored them not to launch a military operation in Gaza, Yedioth Ahronoth reported Thursday.

According to the report, the king is concerned that such an operation might have dire consequences for his country as well.

However, despite Abdullah's request, Olmert and Barak made it clear to the Jordanian leader that if the rocket attacks on the Gaza-vicinity communities continue, Israel would be forced to respond.

The London-based Arabic newspaper al-Hayat reported that during the secret meeting, the three leaders also discussed the negotiations with the Palestinians, and Olmert presented to Abdullah the conclusions of his recent meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Diplomatic sources in London said that Jordan's king stressed to Olmert the need to continue negotiations towards a two-state solution, which Abdullah reportedly claimed was "the only possibility to attain peace in the region. The establishment of a Palestinian state is a strategic interest of Jordan and a precondition for regional peace."

Abdullah also demanded that Olmert take immediate steps to relieve the suffering of the Palestinian population, in order to create an appropriate atmosphere for the resumption of the talks.

According to the report, the two sides agreed that it was vital for the new US administration to play a central role in the peace process.