Jordan Angry Over Israeli Offensive

AMMAN: Jordan's King Abdullah is warning Israel that diplomatic ties could soon suffer if Israel fails to withdraw immediately from Palestinian towns. The king says Jordan is angry and concerned over the Israeli offensive in the West Bank.

King Abdullah also urged U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell to meet besieged Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat during his diplomatic mission to the region.

Jordan, Egypt and Mauritania are the only Arab nations with diplomatic ties with the Jewish state. Last week, Egypt scaled back contacts with Israel to protest its military offensive.

Also Monday, the United Nations, the European Union and the Vatican called for an end to fighting in the Middle East, and an immediate Israeli withdrawal from occupied West Bank towns.

U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan appealed to Israel to begin pulling back immediately. He says the whole world is demanding that Israel withdraw its troops from Palestinian territories.

European Commission President Romano Prodi also called for a withdrawal, saying the situation is leading to a "major humanitarian crisis." He says the Israeli army has sealed off the West Bank to medical and aid workers.