The international community should continue to help Israel and the Palestinians push forward the Middle East peace process, eliminate all obstacles and achieve permanent peace in the region, Jordanian King Abdullah II said here on Monday.

The king made the appeal while meeting Italian Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini, who was on a short visit to Amman.

Israel and the Palestinians should remain calm and avoid an escalation of conflicts, Abdullah said.

Both sides should also implement the "roadmap" peace plan which envisions an ultimate establishment of an independent Palestinian state, and take active measures on the basis of mutual trust. Only by doing so could they push forward the peace process, he stressed.

Abdullah spoke highly of Italy's efforts to restore the Palestinian-Israeli peace talks.

He said the opening of the Rafah crossing in southern Gaza expands Palestinians' contact and exchanges with the outside world and is conducive to the Palestinian economic development.

The Palestinian security forces should be further strengthened to ensure security in the Gaza Strip, the king added.

Fini praised the king's active role in pursuing peace and stability in the Middle East, saying that Italy sides with Jordan in the fight against terrorism.

Abdullah and Fini also emphasized that all Iraqi people should be involved in the country's reconstruction drive and take part in the upcoming parliamentary election on Dec. 15.

Source: Xinhua