Amman (AP): Jordan's King Abdullah II has told Israel to set the conditions necessary for peacemaking so that an agreement with the Palestinians can be reached this year.

Abdullah's remarks came in a meeting on Sunday with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheik, his royal palace said. The king also held separate talks with U.S. President Bush.

Abdullah urged Bush to maintain a hands-on approach to peacemaking, while he told Livni that Israel must immediately halt settlement activities in the West Bank and end its crippling economic blockade against the Palestinians.

He said a Palestinian-Israeli peace deal must be reached this year.