Robin Cook makes Middle East tour

UK Foreign Secretary Robin Cook started today a Middle East tour aimed at getting Arab support for the efforts of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat to reach peace with Israel.

Cook arrived in Jordan, where he met with King Abdullah II and Jordanian officials. He is to visit Egypt on Thursday to meet with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

Jordanian sources said King Abdullah II discussed with Cook regional security.

Cook will also meet with Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa, with whom he will discuss bilateral relations in the two countries and developments concerning the Middle East peace process, as well as European support presented to Palestine.