WASHINGTON, Feb. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- U.S. President George W. Bush met with visiting Jordanian King Abdullah II in the White House on Wednesday and both stressed the desire for a better, peaceful Middle East.

    "We had a little time by ourselves to talk strategically about the world and our deep desire for this world to be peaceful," Bush told the media after a joint public appearance with Abdullah in the White House.

    "We talked about Iraq, Iran, the Palestinian territories. And I appreciate your vision and your desire to achieve a better world for the people in your neighborhood," Bush said.

    For his part, Abdullah said he had very fruitful discussions with Bush.

    "We've had some very fruitful discussions, and we're appreciative of the vision and the desire that the president has for peace and stability in our part of the world," he said.

    In a statement issued by the Jordanian embassy here on Tuesday, Abdullah, after talks with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, urged the United States and the Western countries not to abandon the Palestinians following the election victory of Hamas.

    "King Abdullah stressed the importance of dealing with the new realities created by Hamas' victory in the Palestinian elections," the embassy statement said.

    However, the United States has threatened to cut its direct aid to the Palestinian government if Hamas, regarded by the United States as a terrorist group, fails to renounce violence against Israel and dismantle its armed wing.

    Jordan has been a strong U.S. ally in the Middle East. Enditem