(NEWS) Barak Secretly Meets King Abdullah

"Defense minister visits Amman four days before commencement of direct talks with Palestinians. 'Jordan has a central role in regional peace, helping to reach understandings during the talks,' says Barak.

Defense Minister Ehud Barak on Sunday met with Jordan's King Abdullah in Amman, just four days before the launching of direct talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

Barak, who attended a Labor ministers' meeting and a cabinet meeting before departing, secretly flew to the Hashemite Kingdom and met with king Abdullah in his palace."

(NEWS) 'Saudi King Says Israel, Iran Don't Deserve To Exist'

"Le Figaro says King Abdullah told French defense minister days after Gaza flotilla raid, 'Two states in region do not deserve to exist: Israel and Iran'. Kingdom denies report

Saudi Arabia on Friday denied a report in French daily Le Figaro, according to which Kind Abdullah told the French Defense minister that 'two states in the region do not deserve to exist: Israel and Iran'.

A Saudi official told the government-controlled Saudi Press, 'This is untrue altogether', and expressed bewilderment at the French paper's willingness to make such charges without verifying the details.

The official added that Saudi Arabia's position was 'clear'."