His Majesty King Abdullah on Sunday said holding a conference for Iraq's religious leaders in Amman is meant as a contribution on the part of Jordan to bring an end to the deteriorating security situation in the country, where Iraqi people are paying the price.

At a meeting with a delegation of US senators, representatives and governors, attended by Her Majesty Queen Rania, the King said Jordan is continuing cooperation with Arab countries and Iraq's other neighbors to help the country overcome the difficult situation.

He told the delegates, headed by Senator John McCain (R-Arizona), that the solution to what is going on in Iraq should come from within the country itself, when its people and various political forces reach national consensus.

On the Mideast peace process, King Abdullah said peace relies on the outcome of the Tuesday's polls in Israel and the Hamas government programme.

He urged all parties concerned with the conflict to shoulder their responsibilities and jointly work for the resumption of peace talks between the Palestinians and the Israelis, as the only way to achieve a permanent peace in the region.

The delegation included Senator Russ Feingold (D-Wisconsin), Senator John Thune (R-South Dakota), Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Illinois), Rep. Joe Schwarz (R-Michigan), Rep. Tom Udall (D-New Mexico), Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, Governor Bob Riley of Alabama and Utah's Governor John Huntsman.

The Jordan Times