Ammon News - CAIRO - His Majesty King Abdullah II on Thursday held talks in Cairo with Egyptian President Mohammed Hosni Mubarak on Mideast developments, efforts to achieve peace in the region and ways to boost bilateral ties in the various fields.

The two leaders exchanged views on steps that should be taken to the appropriate atmosphere to relaunch effective and serious negotiations in a bid to establish a sovereign and viable Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital as soon as possible.

They stressed the need to step up international efforts that support peacemaking efforts in the Middle East according to the two-state solution, which is the sole way to achieve security and stability in the region.

They also stressed the need to bolster pan-Arab solidarity at this time and to unite stances towards common challenges, in a manner that serves common interests of the Arab countries.

The two leaders also stressed their keenness to maintain coordination and consultations on issues of mutual concern and to boost bilateral economic ties.

Also on Thursday, King Abdullah discussed with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in Cairo latest developments on efforts to achieve a tangible progress on Palestinian-Israeli peace track in a bid to resolve the Mideast conflict, in a manner that guarantees establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Talks also centered on diplomatic moves to overcome obstacles that face the peace process.

The Palestinian leader updated the King on outcome of his talks with US Special Middle East Envoy George Mitchell.

The King, during a meeting attended by Prime Minister Samir Rifai, Chief of the Royal Court Nasser Lozi and high- ranking officials, expressed Jordan's support to the Palestinians to restore their rights of freedom and statehood.

* Petra