AMMAN - THE United States is expected to announce soon a new plan to kick-start the deadlocked Middle East peace talks, Jordan's King Abdullah II told AFP in an interview on Saturday.

'We expect an announcement from the US administration... of its plan to restart negotiations to achieve a comprehensive solution,' in the Middle East, the king said. 'A resolution to the conflict is an American strategic interest. And we hope that it (Washington) will announce this plan as soon as possible, because lost time undermines the chances for peace. There is a tremendous need to move quickly, seriously and effectively,' he said.

The king, a key US ally, gave no details on the expected plan. But he warned that 'the possibilities of a new round of violence, a new war, will increase and the region and the world will pay the price,' in the absence of any resolution.

'We believe that progress towards a solution requires a leading American role and European, Arab and international support.'

King Abdullah urged US President Barack Obama last month in Washington to back Palestinian statehood in 'words as well as deeds,' and pressed Israel to choose between integration or isolation in the Middle East. He said Mr Obama 'understands the urgency of the situation today, and understands that procrastination threatens the security of the region and the world.'

'President Obama has announced his commitment to the two-state solution within a comprehensive approach to achieve comprehensive peace,' he added.

The king said Israel has to make choices.

'Does it (Israel) want to be a fortress, isolated from the region, or does it want to co-exist with its neighbours and with all the countries that do not recognise it and achieve acceptance and real security?' he said.

'Fifty seven states do not recognise Israel, that's a third of UN member-states. The reason is the continuation of the occupation and the absence of a peace settlement.'

Jordan and Egypt are the only Arab states that have made peace with Israel. Mr Obama, who has vowed to push with Middle East peacemaking, holds talks on Monday with right-wing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and hosts later this month Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas and Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. -- AFP