Jordan is holding talks with Israel to prepare for a visit by Israeli Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom after the Palestinian election, the Jordan Times newspaper reported Tuesday.

Consultations are under way with Israel concerning the expected visit by Shalom, no date has yet been set, but it is expected to take place after Jan. 9, Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesman Rajab Suqeiri was quoted as saying.

Shalom cancelled a visit to Jordan in January 2003 at the last minute as Jordan insisted the visit must be followed by the releasing of 20 Jordanian prisoners held in Israel, the report said.

Suqeiri said Jordan stuck to its position that the Israeli government must take an initiative that would facilitate the visit and guarantee its success by releasing Jordanian prisoners.

Jordan has not sent its ambassador back to Israel since the outbreak of the Palestinian uprising in 2000.

Source: Xinhua