Ammon News - AMMAN (Petra) His Majesty King Abdullah II on Tuesday discussed with visiting U.S. Senator Rand Paul developments in the Middle East, including efforts to achieve Palestinian-Israeli peace and the Syrian crisis.

The King stressed that U.S. support is necessary in peace efforts to help achieve a just and lasting settlement to the Palestinian issue, the crux of the conflict in the region, based on the two-state solution.

On Syria, King Abdullah stressed that a collective regional and international effort is needed to put an end to the suffering of Syrian people and the escalating crisis.

The King and the Kentucky Republican senator also discussed Jordanian-U.S. ties and ways and means of promoting bilateral cooperation, where His Majesty commended U.S. aid to help the Kingdom carry out developmental programmes in various sectors.

Senate president discusses ties, region with US senator

Also on Tuesday, Senate President Taher Masri discussed with US Senator Rand Paul Jordan's reform efforts as well as challenges facing the Kingdom.

At the meeting, which was attended by US Ambassador to Jordan Stewart Jones, the two sides also reviewed means of boosting parliamentary cooperation as well as the current situation in the region.