His Majesty King Abdullah II Wednesday held talks with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Middle East Affairs William Burns, currently on a regional tour aimed to push the peace process forward.

The talks, attended by Royal Court Minister Samir Rifai and Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher, covered bilateral relations and development of events in Palestine and Iraq.

The King noted the surging cycle of violence which still blocks resumption of the peace process in the region.

King Abdullah affirmed efforts at this stage should focus on creating the appropriate climate to restart the peace process.

Burns briefed King Abdullah on the aim of his current tour and on the U.S. standpoint on developments of the Palestinian and Iraqi issues.