KING Hussein of Jordan said yesterday he was "profoundly happy" with the agreement on Palestinian self rule in Hebron, clinched after his surprise last ditch intervention four days ago.
"I did my duty in this regard to restore the rights and freedom of our people and brothers on their national soil ... and achieve for everyone a great step towards a Just and comprehensive peace.
"I am profoundly satisfied and happy," said the king, who had voiced fears at the slow pace of peace talks since Mr Benjamin Netanyahu took office last year. The Israeli Palestinian negotiations had stalled before King Hussein flew to Gaza and Tel Aviv on Sunday for talks with the two leaders.
Jordan's Information Minister, Mr Marwan Muasher, said the accord could herald a "fresh beginning" for Israelis and Palestinians.
"We feel that it is a culmination of concerted efforts made by different parties over the last few months. In particular, the Egyptians and the Americans have been very helpful in getting us to this point," Mr Muasher said.
"Jordan, under the leadership of King Hussein, made use of its very good relations with all the parties in the region to bridge the gap to restore some of the lost trust between the parties which made this effort possible."
President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt congratulated the Palestinian and Israeli leaders on reaching agreement. Mr Mubarak was active in mediating between the sides at moments of crisis, and it was an Egyptian compromise that helped bring about a conclusion of the lengthy negotiations.
The agreement gives valuable breathing space to the new Clinton administration. It could scarcely have come at a better time for the new Secretary of State, Ms Madeleine Albright, who expects to take office next week. It spares her the need to devote her attention immediately to a dispute in an area where she has little direct experience.
The Secretary General of the UN, Mr Kofi Annan, said he hoped the accord would lead to further progress in the Middle East peace process.