AMMAN, May 18, 2007 (WAFA) - King Abdullah II underlined on Friday that this year is the year of opportunity to end violence and make peace in the Middle East and to build the regional economic.

In his speech at the opening ceremony of the World Economic Forum (WEF) on the Middle East which convened at the Dead Sea in the presence of global political, economic, media, intellectual leaderships, King Abdullah emphasized that there was an historic opportunity to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting settlement in the region.

The Arab countries are engaged in a major effort to achieve a just settlement of the Arab-Israeli conflict, King Abdullah said, noting that in late March, the Arab Peace Initiative was renewed unanimously by the Arab countries.

"The absence of peace and the conditions of occupation have devastated Palestinian life," King Abdullah noted, underling that Jordan is doing all it can to build the momentum for peace. "We know peace is attainable but is not easy," he said.

There is a new international will to resolve the crisis, he believed, noting that it is no longer just a regional problem, he said.

King Abdullah called for free of human and financial resources for region-wide achievement and prosperity and to open new, cross-border opportunities that multiply the benefits of development and investment. The King called for drawing a clear vision for the day after peace where young people should benefit from it.

These, King Abdullah underlined, young men and women deserve to be part of a prospering region that is playing its right role on the world stage.

King Abdullah urged the participants to start a dialogue of action that can inspire and lead the region forward.

(21:48P) (18:48GMT)