Abdullah urges 'positive' response to Arab plan

Jordan's King Abdullah II urged Israel on Monday to "respond positively" to the Arab peace initiative, saying Israel and the Palestinians should seize the moment to make peace. Abdullah made the comments during talks with visiting US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who is touring the region urging Arab leaders to amend their 2002 plan so it can be a basis for a new push for the peace process. Saudi Arabia's foreign minister suggested Monday that Arab leaders would be willing to consider changes in the peace offer. Arab officials said Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Egypt would look at ways to "repackage" the offer during an Arab summit on Wednesday and Thursday in Riyadh.