Jordanian King Abdullah II met on Sunday with visiting Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas on the deteriorating security and economic situation in the Palestinian territories.

During the meeting, the king called on all parties on the Palestinian front to exert efforts to overcome challenges facing the Palestinian people.

He underlined the importance of ending any military escalation and calming tension between the Palestinians and Israelis to build confidence at this stage and ensure a quick return to the negotiating table.

He also urged the international community to shoulder its responsibilities through ensuring the flow of international aid to the Palestinian lands to avoid a humanitarian crisis.

The Palestinians were "the only ones affected by the halt of aid," he said, adding Jordan will continue to work with other countries to solve the problem.

He also briefed Abbas on the outcome of his talks with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on June 8, saying that a two-state solution is the only solution that all parties in the Middle East and the international community should work to achieve.

Abbas expressed appreciation for efforts exerted by Jordan to help the Palestinians overcome difficult conditions.

The United States and the EU have cut off direct aid to the Hamas-led Palestinian government since Hamas refuses to renounce violence, recognize Israel's right to exist and honor previous Palestinian-Israeli agreements.

Israel has also halted the monthly transfer of about US$50 million of tax revenues it collects on behalf of the Palestinians since Hamas' sweeping election victory in January.

Such moves have led to a grave financial crisis, of which ordinary Palestinians bear the brunt and the Hamas government has been unable to pay about 160,000 civil servants since March.

(Xinhua News Agency June 19, 2006)