Jordanian King Warns Israel 'Playing With Fire' In East Jerusalem

Jordan's King Abdullah II (file photo)

King Abdullah II of Jordan has said the Middle East peace process is "at a crossroads" because of Israel's plans to extend construction in East Jerusalem.

Abdullah warned that Israel was "playing with fire" in East Jerusalem and said "all political, legal, and diplomatic options are open" for dealing with Israeli violations of international law.

The monarch said that "people are fed up with an open-ended process that does not lead to results." He said the world is facing a "moment of truth" about whether there will be a new cycle of violence or "real, tangible and quick progress" to resolve the conflict between Israel and Palestinians on the basis of a two-state solution.

Abdullah was speaking ahead of this weekend's Arab summit conference in Libya, when Arab leaders will decide whether to prolong a 2002 Arab peace initiative.

The Saudi-authored Arab peace plan offers Israel recognition by all Arab countries if it pulls out of all Arab territories it occupied in the 1967 war -- including East Jerusalem.

compiled from agency reports