Israel's Olmert, Jordan king discuss Palestinians

JERUSALEM, Dec 19 (Reuters) Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert travelled to Jordan today for talks with Jordanian King Abdullah on the Palestinian power-struggle and other regional issues, Olmert's office said.

''In the meeting the two leaders discussed bilateral issues and developments in the Palestinian Authority as well as the wider regional situation,'' it said in a statement. Abdullah, a key regional power-broker, has recently voiced alarm at spiralling violence between Palestinian forces loyal to moderate President Mahmoud Abbas and rival Hamas Islamists.

Israel has agreed in principle to a proposal for a Palestinian paramilitary force stationed in Jordan to be transferred to the Gaza Strip, where it would shore up Abbas against Hamas, which controls the Palestinian government.

Olmert's trip to Jordan had not been previously announced.

REUTERS PDM PM1908