Jordan's King Abdullah says the Middle East peace process is not merely off track, but is what he termed a "train wreck," with "enormous destruction." 

Speaking Monday in Washington, the king said U.S. leadership is needed to pull the region back from the brink of disaster. He called for new fast-paced negotiations that would begin with a statement of final objectives. 

Jordan's leader said the Palestinians cannot be expected to renew a dialogue with Israel without the promise of statehood. He also asked how a Palestinian or Arab could be expected to try to curb terrorism if, as he put it, "we don't articulate hope". 

The king said the same concepts apply to the Israelis, who he said would not try to accommodate the Palestinians without prospects for security and Arab acceptance. 

King Abdullah said the current lull in Israeli-Palestinian violence will end unless there is action on the peace-making front in the next few weeks, starting with the international conference proposed this month by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell. 

King Abdullah is wrapping up a week-long U.S. visit. He held talks with President Bush last Wednesday. 

Some information for this report provided by AFP.

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