King Abdullah of Jordan and President Jacques Chirac agreed Monday on the urgent need to restore the Middle East peace process during a meeting and working lunch in Paris.
Abdullah underscored the need to take a two-pronged approach that would include "recognition of the principle of Palestinian statehood and guarantees of security for the state of Israel."
"Now is the time for real steps in the peace process," said Chirac who noted that US President George W. Bush was signaling a new willingness to engage in the peace process.
Chirac and Abdullah held a 30-minute meeting at the Elysee Palace before sitting down for a working lunch.
The talks in Paris coincided with a meeting in London between Prime Minister Tony Blair and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat at which the British premier asserted support for a Palestinian state.
Meanwhile, the official Jordanian news agency, Petra, said the monarch received Arafat at his residence in London Monday night.
They discussed the latest developments and efforts designed to bring the peace process back on track, said the agency.
The king is due to meet with Blair on Tuesday with both the Middle East issue and terrorism topping the agenda – Albawaba.com
