Jordan in Israel meeting

JORDAN’S foreign minister met Israeli leaders yesterday, the first such visit in more than four years, signifying renewed diplomatic efforts to resolve long-standing regional conflicts involving Israel, the Palestinians, Syria and Lebanon.

Jordanian Foreign Minister Hani al-Mulqi called for intense peace efforts when he met with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Vice Premier Shimon Peres and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom.

US officials said Mr Sharon would visit the White House in mid-April, following the first trip to Washington by Mahmoud Abbas as Palestinian leader - a reflection of renewed US involvement in Mideast peacemaking in the post-Yasser Arafat era.