Jordan's King Abdullah and U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell Thursday have discussed ways to end Israeli-Palestinian violence.

Afterwards, King Abdullah said the majority of Palestinians and Israelis are sick and tired of the violence. He said Jordan and the United States are working on mechanisms and formulas to get the sides out of the current situation. King Abdullah said he knows President Bush is committed to peace and stability for both sides and wants to end the suffering of Palestinians.

Secretary Powell said the United States has not given up hope. He said Washington is applying pressure on Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to deal with Palestinian violence and what he called the complicating factor of the Karine A, the ship intercepted by Israel while smuggling Iranian weapons to Palestinians earlier this month.

Mr. Powell said the United States will continue to work with both sides in as balanced a way as possible. He said the violence needs to be brought under control before the United States makes a decision about sending Middle East envoy Anthony Zinni back to the region.

Before the State Department talks, King Abdullah cautioned, during a (CBS) television interview, that U.S. military action against Iraq during the anti-terrorism campaign would cause immense instability in the Middle East, especially if violence continues between Israel and the Palestinians.

King Abdullah is to meet with President Bush on Friday at the White House.

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