Jordan says reforms in Mideast must come from within

Jordanian King Abdullah II said on Friday that any political and economic reform in the Mideast must come from within and not be imposed from outside, alluding to US call for liberalization in the Arab world.

"It is an effort for the whole Middle East to create its own positive change. That demands a real-world process: specific steps that can be implemented by regional governments and civil society," he told some 1,300 international business and political leaders attending the World Economic Forum meeting held at Southern Shuneh,a resort city at the Dead Sea.

He made the remarks after urging the Arab leaders to "seize the moment" to introduce reforms, a demand pushed by the United States.

"Never has there been greater opportunity for progress. Never has there been a greater sense of agreement that the future is in our hands. Today, positive change is in the air across the region," said the monarch.

Abdullah said Arab reforms under an initiative called "Vision 2010" launched at last year's World Economic Forum meeting in Jordan was a comprehensive package for "good government, education, and economic growth."

The summit is the third held on the shores of the shrinking Dead Sea. World Forum Chairman Klaus Schwab called the three-day conference a "key catalyst" to shape the region's agenda during his opening speech.

Also on Friday, Jordanian Prime Minister Adnan Badran said his country hopes for a comprehensive, fair and lasting peace in the Middle East.

In his meeting with US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick, Badran said the international community should work together for a peaceful solution to the Mideast crisis, including the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Source: Xinhua