Queen runs for peace

All eyes will be on Jordan in the coming week

Queen Rania of Jordan was one of more than 100 women took part in a charity run through the streets of the Jordanian capital Amman on Friday to promote peace efforts in the Middle East.

The queen finished third in the fund-raising event, which was organised by Jordan's Society for the Care of Neurological Patients.

The queen's husband, King Abdullah, will host a summit on Tuesday that brings together for the first time US President George W Bush and the Palestinian and Israeli Prime Ministers Mahmoud Abbas and Ariel Sharon.

Rania's office said she took part in the 10-kilometre run to show her "dedication and commitment" to peace - the runners all wore shirts printed with the word "peace" in English and Arabic.

The queen - along with about 60% of Jordan's population - is of Palestinian origin.