Jordanian King Urges Olmert to Accept Arab Peace Initiative

Jordanian officials say King Abdullah made the appeal in a meeting with Mr. Olmert Tuesday in the Jordanian resort of Aqaba.

The officials say King Abdullah also urged Mr. Olmert to improve relations with Palestinians and not expand Jewish settlements in the West Bank.

In remarks to a gathering of Nobel laureates in the ancient city of Petra, Mr. Olmert said Israel is willing to hold talks with Arab nations on the peace initiative. He invited Arab leaders to come to Israel to discuss the plan.

The Arab initiative calls for Arab recognition of Israel in return for an Israeli withdrawal to its 1967 borders and creation of a Palestinian state. - VOA News