Washington, DC (24 April 2009) – His Majesty King Abdullah II on Friday said that he expects Lebanon to "make great strides forward" during the upcoming parliamentary elections, scheduled for June.

"I expect that there will be a common sense approach by everybody to make sure that elections happen in an atmosphere of a relaxed, stable environment," King Abdullah said, adding that all parties should work for the security and stability of Lebanon.

The King made the comments at the start of a question and answer session with the audience who attended the King's speech at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington, DC.

The King spoke at the CSIS on the last day of a five-day working visit to the United States, during which he met President Barack Obama, members of the new US administration including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and several members of the US Congress. Discussion centred on rejuvenating Middle East peace negotiations, especially between Israel and the Palestinians, and the Arab states' regional approach to peace-making.

"This is the opportunity for Israel to finally have peace with a third of the world that doesn't recognise it," the King said.               

In response to a question from the audience about the prospects for Syrian-Israeli negotiations, King Abdullah said piecemeal approaches to peace were an opportunity for mischief.

"It also comes down to what clear commitments Israel is willing to give for those negotiations. What we don't want to find ourselves in is a position of both countries in dialogue that goes on open-ended," he said.

King Abdullah also fielded a question about Iraq, describing the situation in the neighbouring country as "one of the few good stories we can see in our part of the world."

"It's a work in progress," King Abdullah said, adding that it was essential for the international community, especially the Arab countries, to support Iraq in national reconciliation efforts.

"Prime Minister Maliki has come a long way in bringing his nation together, but he can't do it alone," the King said, adding the Arab states especially need to do more.

"As Iraq goes into transition, especially with coalition forces moving out, I do hope that we as Arab nations do step up to the plate and offer whatever support we can in the critical years ahead of Iraqi reconciliation and building," he said. "But I am optimistic about the future of Iraq and the Iraqi people.

Speech by HM King Abdullah II at CSIS is available online at http://www.jordanembassyus.org/new/jib/speeches/hmka/hmka04242009.htm