Tel Aviv - Jordan's King Abdullah II, on a visit to Israel to advance Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, urged both sides to seize the opportunity for peace but stressed his support for Palestinian claims to east Jerusalem.
"Second chances are rare and third ones are unheard of," said King Abdullah, who met both the Palestinian President, Mr Yasser Arafat, and the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Ehud Barak, during his five-hour visit.
Mr Barak again accused the Palestinians of failing to make the painful compromises necessary for peace, but said Israel was ready to resume peace talks with Syria if they would achieve a deal. The king said he believed Mr Arafat, Mr Barak and President Bashar al-Assad of Syria were all committed to finding a lasting peace.