AMMAN, Jan. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- Jordanian King Abdullah II and visiting former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres discussed on Thursday how to save the Dead Sea from drying up and build a canal with the Red Sea in order to meet future demands for water resources, local media reported.

    Abdullah II said that, by diverting Red Sea water into the Dead Sea, the project will supplement the evaporating salt water, which will benefit all of Jordan, Israel and the Palestinians, and help solve the problem of water scarcity in this region.

    Peres said that none of Jordan, Israel or the Palestinians have the ability to provide sufficient funds for the water project on their own and private enterprises must be encouraged to raise funds for the fulfillment of the project.

    Economic development and an improving living standard are of great importance to this region, Peres added.

    Abdullah II and Peres also exchanged their views on the Middle East peace process and the Palestinian elections, in which Hamas won a landslide victory.

    Experts warned that the Dead Sea will disappear in 50 years from now if its water level keeps on declining at the present speed of three meters a year. As the lowest body of water on Earth, its very existence has been threatened as Jordan, Israel and the Palestinians all divert the Jordan River for agricultural irrigation, which would be otherwise the source of water for the Dead Sea.

    Peres arrived here Thursday for a short visit. Enditem