King Abdullah: American pressure helped reforms

The Jordanian king Abdullah II on Friday considered that the American pressures helped in giving the transformation process in the Middle East a push forward. He stressed that "reforms" that are from the inside "are guaranteed to be a success."

Abdullah said replying to a question on developments in the Middle East including the Iraqi elections and the withdrawal of the Syrian forces and Israel's plan to withdraw from Gaza "I do think that he ( US President George Bush) opened the door, but the moment you open the door to the question of reform, there is no way to retreat back."

King Abdullah indicated in a speech at University Of Chicago during his visit to the USA that peace in the Middle East requires a solution for the Palestinian- Israeli conflict, stressing that political reforms should not stop in his country or any other country because of the instability in the region.

King Abdullah added "Jordan should proceed forward and to open the widows for new opportunities and to make reform, should we want to be prosperous and enjoy security." Earlier, Abdullah said he seeks liberation and wider participation for women in politics and the participation of political parties in decision-making.