King Abdullah visits Paris

King Abdullah of Jordan has gone to Paris on a one-day visit, in which he is expected to discuss the Middle East peace initiative, jointly brokered by his country and Egypt.

He is to have talks with President Jacques Chirac and Prime Minister Lionel Jospin.

The Jordanian-Egyptian peace initiative is now the main focus of diplomatic efforts to halt the violence between Israel and the Palestinians.

King Abdullah was in Egypt on Sunday, and although Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Musa expressed pessimism at the chances of the initiative succeeding, correspondents say both countries are keen to pursue the plan.

King Abdullah goes on to the Austrian capital Vienna tomorrow.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service