His Majesty King Abdullah II affirmed during talks in Aqaba on Sunday with the US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, William Burns, that the Israeli plan to withdraw from Gaza should be a starting point for a full Israeli withdrawal from the occupied West Bank.

His Majesty said, during the talks which were attended by the Hashemite Royal Court Minister, Sameer Rifai, Foreign Minister, Dr. Marwan Muasher and the US ambassador to Jordan, Edward Gnehm, that this plan will not be successful unless it comes within the road map, which is based on the establishment of a viable and independent Palestinian state on the Palestinian territories.

The King called for providing a suitable climate for the resumption of the peace process, for the continuation of violence will constitute a major obstacle on the path of achieving progress in peace negotiations.

His Majesty's talks with Burns also touched on the situation in Iraq where power will be transferred to the Iraqis soon and where the new government will shoulder the responsibility of ruling Iraq.

The US official on his part affirmed commitment of the United State to achieve peace in the Middle East, indicating that the withdrawal plan from Gaza forms a step on the path of establishing permanent peace between the Palestinian and Israelis.