His Majesty King Abdullah II Sunday said speeding measures to hand over power to the Iraqis and expand their participation in running their affairs would put an end to the deteriorating security in Iraq.

During a meeting with dignitaries and public figures in Irbed in northern Jordan, King Abdullah expressed his pain and sorrow over the killing of innocent civilians in acts of violence in Fallujah and other Iraqi cities.

The future of Iraq should be in the hands of the Iraqis and the international community should be more concerned than ever in helping the Iraqi people rebuild their institutions and run the affairs of their country, King Abdullah said.

The King said his coming visit to the U.S. this week would assert Jordan's position calling for the necessity to end the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and to make sure that Israel's pullout from Gaza Strips would not be an alternative to the roadmap peace plan.

The sole solution to the state of instability in the region is ending Israel's occupation and establishing the independent Palestinian state, King Abdullah said.

During the meeting, attended by Prime Minister and a number of cabinet ministers, King Abdullah declared a comprehensive development plan for Irbed governorate to the improve the area's infrastructure and public services to local citizens. The King hoped a development housing project will be implemented in Irbed similar to major projects in Amman and Zarka.

He said Jordan is going ahead in the reform process to achieve political development in which all parties participate. Reform process can only be completed with the emergence of strong political parties with valid and reallistic service programs, King Abdullah said During the meeting held over a lunchen, King Abdullah listened to problems raised by local citizens regarding poverty and unemployment and agriculutral issues.