Jordan's King Pledges Support

King Abdullah II of Jordan met with President Bush to support the U.S. counterterrorism campaign and to urge Mr. Bush to take a more active role in resolving violence in the Middle East.

"It's in difficult times like this that true friends must stand with each other," Abdullah said during an Oval Office meeting with Mr. Bush. "And we'll be by your side, and we'll be there to support you. And I'm here to see what we can do to help."

Mr. Bush called Jordan "a strong friend of America."

"I have assured His Majesty that our war is against evil, not against Islam," the president said. "There are thousands of Muslims who proudly call themselves Americans, and they know what I know, that the Muslim faith is based upon peace and love and compassion, the exact opposite of the teachings of the al-Qaida organization."

The meeting came on the anniversary of the Palestinian uprising against Israel in which more than 750 people, almost 600 of them Palestinians, have been killed.

Abdullah met a day earlier with Secretary of State Colin Powell as the Bush administration courted Islamic support for its campaign against terrorism. Powell also met with Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem.

The administration picked up words of support Thursday from Europe. Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, the current head of the European Union, visited President Bush at the White House and outlined EU's plans. Later, to reporters, Verhofstadt said: "We want to participate in these actions" but urged that Mr. Bush keep them "focused."

Saudi Arabia has signaled its approval for U.S. troops and planes to use the nation as a staging ground for military action against Osama bin Laden and the terrorist-sheltering Taliban regime in Afghanistan. U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity Friday, said they have received tacit assurances that Saudi Arabia will allow U.S. troops to use a command center at Prince Sultan Air Base.

And, in the latest example of turning former adversaries into allies, the Bush administration disclosed that Sudan has quietly rounded up as many as 30 foreign extremists since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.

Some may have had previous ties to bin Laden, the man the United States considers the prime suspect, the U.S. officials sid.

Sudan, which is on the State Department's list of terrorist nations, has not announced the roundup of suspects.

In his meeting with Mr. Bush, Abdullah is expected to express caution in the U.S. campaign against terrorists. He also probably will repeat his push for a stronger U.S. role in the Middle East peace process, stressing that greater stability in the region would leave less room for extremists.

Arab support is crucial to nurturing an international alliance against terror, and Abdullah's visit to Washington comes at a time of good feeling between the United States and Jordan.

The Senate this week approved an agreement reached last fall that effectively removes all trade barriers with Jordan. Mr. Bush signed it Friday morning, said White House spokesman Ari Fleischer.

The White House had debated Thursday whether to have Bush sign the pact into law during a ceremony with Abdullah. Some administration officials questioned whether such a celebration would be appropriate because of the somber tone of their meeting.

Abdullah did not speak with reporters after his 40-minute session Thursday with Powell at the State Department. The secretary spoke, however, after meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Cem, who backed the anti-terrorism coalition headed by the United States.

Powell mentioned specifically Turkey's willingness to allow American military aircraft to use Turkish air space.

"I know that in the days ahead, as our campaign against terrorism unfolds, we will be able to count on the support and active assistance of our Turkish friends," Powell said.

Cem said he was pleased to see that the U.S. government is doing its utmost "to bring this fight against terrorists to its end."

Powell also made assurances that the administration continues to be "deeply engaged" in the Middle East peace process despite its recent shift of focus.

He said that despite the current focus on international terror, the United States recognizes its global responsibilities. Giving priority to one subject, Powell said, "does not mean we can ignore all the others."

Powell also met Thursday with Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer. On Friday, he meets with Spain's foreign minister, Josep Pique.

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