Accepts Bush's request to bring his "voice of reason" to the Middle East peace process.
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
US President Bush on Thursday asked Jordan's King Abdullah II to bring his "voice of reason" to the Middle East peace process by paying visits to Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas.
After meeting with Abdullah in the Oval Office, Bush said the king "graciously agreed" to his request.
No date for meetings have been set, US and Jordanian officials said.
Jordan has urged the United States and its diplomatic partners to help resume talks aimed at achieving Palestinian statehood now that Israel has pulled out of the Gaza Strip after a 38-year occupation.
Abdullah has said he hopes the international community would devise a plan to rescue the Palestinian economy from the devastation of decades of mismanagement and conflict with Israel.
"I know that you want to find a solution that Israelis and Palestinians can live in peace and harmony," Abdullah said. "I hope, if we can help in that respect, that is a great honor for us."