Israeli leaders on secret trip

2008-11-20 16:08

Jerusalem - Israeli leaders made a secret journey to neighbouring Jordan earlier this week, listening to pleas from King Abdullah II to avert a large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip, Israeli and Jordan officials confirmed on Thursday.

The Israeli officials said the king told Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defence Minister Ehud Barak that military action would threaten regional stability, the Israeli officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of the secrecy of Tuesday's meeting.

Israel and Palestinian militants have been locked in a cycle of cross-border violence for the past two weeks, with militants firing rockets into Israel and Israel responding with limited airstrikes.

The fighting has threatened a five-month-old ceasefire. Both sides say they want to restore the calm, but the Israeli leaders have threatened to strike hard if the rocket fire persists.

Israel has also responded by shuttering its cargo crossings with Gaza, causing shortages of food, fuel and basic goods.

In Amman, the Royal Palace declined comment. But a high-ranking Jordanian official said the king rebuked the Israeli leaders during the visit, telling them to cease unilateral action against the Palestinians and take immediate measures to lift the Gaza blockade.

The Jordanian official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said Abdullah warned that military escalation won't bring security to Israel but would only increase the tension between the two sides.

Olmert and Barak's office declined comment. But in a radio interview, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi acknowledged that Israel has "strategic interests" with its neighbours that are being taken into consideration. "But at the end of the day, Israel has only one commitment called the citizens of Israel."

Jordan is one of two Arab countries with peace treaties with Israel, and the moderate Jordanian government often acts as a mediator between Israel and the Arab world.

The Israeli officials said the king also received an update on Israel's peace efforts with the Palestinians and Syria.

With US-backing, Israel and the Palestinians relaunched peace talks a year ago. The negotiations have not provided any tangible results. Israel, meanwhile, has had indirect contacts with Syria in recent months, but the sides have not yet opened direct negotiations.

On Thursday, the king hosted Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the Red Sea resort of Aqaba.

A Royal Palace statement said Abdullah briefed Abbas on his talks with Olmert.

- AP