Jordan for a greater role in the ME

The Jordanian prime minister Ali Abu al-Ragheb on Tuesday expressed his hope that Japan will play a greater role in the Middle East peace process.

News reports said that Abu al-Ragheb, currently visiting Japan, expressed during his meeting with the Japanese prime minister his hope that Tokyo will co-operate with other states in resuming talks between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

Abu al-Ragheb urged Tokyo to take a more flexible stand towards the debts accumulated on his country to Japan, estimated at USD 1.7 billion.