His Majesty King Abdullah on Wednesday said the Palestinian-Israeli agreement to open the Gaza-Egypt border at Rafah was a step forward in the peace process.

King Abdullah told Quartet envoy James Wolfensohn at a meeting that more steps were needed to help the Palestinians improve their economy and living standards.

Palestinian and Israeli negotiators on Tuesday reached the agreement after marathon talks chaired by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Wolfensohn.

Also on Wednesday, King Abdullah received Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos, who offered condolences over the killing of 57 people in last weeks' triple attacks on three Amman hotels.

During a meeting, Moratinos expressed Spain's support for the Kingdom and commended Jordan's security forces.

Thanking Spain for its support, King Abdullah said fighting terrorism, which hit Amman and, last year, Madrid, requires the entire international community's full cooperation.

King Abdullah and Moratinos also discussed bilateral relations and means to enhance them.

The Jordan Times