His Majesty King Abdullah II urged the international community to support the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) in order to ensure security in the Gaza Strip.



In an Interview with Israeli TV Channel 1, the King said he considered the PNA a real partner with which Israel could achieve peace.



''I do think you do have a partner for peace,” he told the Israeli broadcaster. “But again, I think all of us, whether it's Jordan, Israel or the international community, have to strengthen the Palestinian Authority, because there are going to be extremists on either side that want to derail the process.”



The King said restoring security and stability in the Gaza Strip would not be an easy task after the withdrawal. Consequently, he said, the PNA must be enabled to assume a central role in the lives of the Palestinians through enhanced service provision to the Palestinian population.



''I know many the many threats they face, so we have to strengthen the Palestinian police,” the King said. He also said that Jordan had suggested sending Badr Forces trained in Jordan to help the Palestinians.



The King also responded to a question on Israel's refusal to allow Hamas to participate in the Palestinian Legislative Council, saying that historically, many armed groups had turned to political work.



Referring to the terrorist attack in Aqaba in August, which killed one Jordanian soldier and wounded another, he said that extremism was a challenge that most countries face. The interview followed days of speculation that the King would visit Israel. Asked about the possibility of a future visit, King Abdullah said he would be interested in visiting Israel and the Palestinian territories “any time I find myself able to help Palestinians and Israelis to achieve progress” in the peace process.



However, he added that Jordan, Israel and the Palestinians all stood to benefit from working together for the realization of important joint projects, such as the Red Sea-Dead Sea Canal, that would enhance regional progress and stability.