His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday held talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas during a stopover in Amman before heading to Washington to meet US president George W. Bush.

During the meeting attended by Minister of Royal Court Marwan Muasher and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Farouq Qasrawi, the King stressed the importance of the Palestinian-US talks as they will help push the peace process forward.

King Abdullah said he expected Abbas's talks with US President George W. Bush to "break the stalemate facing the peace process and pave the way to re-launch negotiations" between Israel and the Palestinians.

His Majesty reiterated that Israel's pullout from Gaza Strip should pave the way for an Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

King Abdullah said that Jordan will continue to support Palestinian people and assist Palestinian National Authority (PNA) in building its security and civil institutions.

Abbas, who voiced appreciation for King Abdullah for his efforts in supporting the Palestinian people, said that what is needed from the Israeli side now is to clarify what is the next step after withdrawing from Gaza.