Crown Prince Hassan of Jordan has told the American Defence Secretary, William Cohen, that any military strikes against Iraq would undermine regional stability.

Jordanian officials in Amman said that the Crown Prince had urged a diplomatic solution to the crisis over UN weapons inspectors.

Mr Cohen was visiting Jordan on the latest stage of his tour of the region to discuss the weapons conflict.

He has already been to Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.