Jordan "stands shoulder to shoulder" with the coalition against terrorism and backs Tony Blair's efforts to find peace in the Middle East, king Abdullah has said.

Speaking during a visit to the Houses of Parliament and Number 10 on Thursday, king Abdullah called for greater understanding between the West and the Arab world.

At a Number 10 press conference the king said he was proud of Tony Blair's efforts to clarify the West's position in its fight against bin Laden.

"This is a battle not between moderate and extremist Muslims but between Muslims and those that have hijacked the Muslim faith," he said.

On the Arab-Israeli conflict he called for a "once and for all a peaceful settlement in our region".

He accepted that the coalition offensive would continue bombing in the holy month of Ramadan.

"We can't always have things the way we like it. We just hope and pray that the military objects are achieved as quickly as possible," he said.

In reply Blair praised strength of his leadership and determination to fight terrorism.

He again repeated his message that "our quarrel has never been with the people of Afghanistan".

Blair also said there would have to be a Palestinian state of there was to be an end "deep poverty and much injustice". The current round of bloodshed could continue but the two sides would have to return to negotiations. "In the end there is no alternative," he said.

In his address to parliament, king Abdullah referred to the terrorist attacks in America as "an affront to humanity".

"That is the view of the too-rarely heard Arab majority," he said. "As a civilised nation, Jordan stands shoulder with the world community in the fight."

He said his country had played a full part in helping the West in the aftermath of September 11.

"Jordan has contributed, condemned terrorism, shared information and provided diplomatic support," he said.

He called on the both sides of the Middle East conflict to seize the "unique opportunity to forge a comprehensive and just solution" and warned of the dangers ahead.

"The events of September 11 have changed our world. My goals, and your goals - peace and well being for our peoples - are still the same. But the route we must travel to reach them must take account of the new dangers on the road," he said.