(Copyright National Post 2007)

OTTAWA - Lasting peace in the Middle East will only be achieved if the suffering of Palestinians is ended and their institutions are strengthened, the King of Jordan said yesterday as he exhorted Canada to play a bigger role in the peace process.

King Abdullah II indirectly attempted to persuade his host, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, to lift Canada's ban on aid to the Palestinian Authority that went into effect after last year's surprise victory by Hamas in parliamentary elections.

Canada and other Western governments consider Hamas a terrorist organization.

Mr. Harper said Canada is reconsidering its decision but had no specifics on when he would open the tap to the $30-million he cut off last year.

Canada was the first country to halt aid to the Hamas government, which does not recognize the state of Israel.

As he addressed a packed audience of politicians and dignitaries at Foreign Affairs Department headquarters in Ottawa, the youthful Hashemite monarch evoked Canada's Nobel Peace Prize-winning Lester B. Pearson and his own father, King Hussein, the revered peacemaker who died in 1999, five years after his Arab country ceased hostilities and recognized Israel.

"Jordan's partnership with Canada was close to the heart of my father, King Hussein, and it remains vital to all of us today," said the 45-year-old King.

"When Canada's Lester Pearson received the Nobel Peace Prize, he described the challenge facing our world," the King added.

"That was 50 years ago. Today, we are still facing the challenge of peace, security and global respect," the monarch said.

"And it is clearer than ever that how we succeed still depends on our ability to come together."

Abdullah appeared to prod Mr. Harper into moving more quickly to restore aid to the Palestinians since this summer's violent collapse of the Hamas-led government and the swearing in of a new Palestinian emergency government headed by Fatah leader Mahmoud Abbas.

"An urgent first step is support for the Palestinian National Authority, especially in its efforts to alleviate suffering and strengthen national institutions. Palestinian legitimacy must be

supported in providing the governance that can fulfill people's aspirations and needs as well as earn public confidence and preserve Palestinian unity," Abdullah said.

Earlier, Mr. Harper told a joint news conference that his government supported the Abbas government, and maintained contact with Mr. Abbas and his officials "throughout the awkward period of the Hamas participation."

Mr. Harper said Canada is "looking at ways we can increase our financial and other assistance," now that Hamas is not in government.

However, Mr. Harper suggested the Palestinians would not see more money unless a stronger form of governance prevails.

"It's our strong view that the Palestinian people did not vote for extremism," the Prime Minister said.

"They voted against problems in governance. And those have to be addressed."

The United States and European countries announced in June that they will restore direct financial aid to the Palestinian Authority in order to support Mr. Abbas.

Later in his speech, Abdullah said lasting peace could only be achieved "if the people of our region can have the opportunity to lead a productive and satisfying life."

Abdullah said 60% of the 325 million people in his region are 24 or younger and are a "crossroads generation" who deserve a chance to share in the prosperity of the 21st century.

"There have now been 40 years of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land -- more than two generations raised in violence and frustration," the King said.

Abdullah said hope for the future lies in the aspirations of millions of Palestinians who want to live in their own sovereign state and the millions of Israelis who want to live in peace.

For his part, Mr. Harper affirmed Canada's support of Israel's right not to be plagued by terrorism and said he hopes to meet with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert soon.

Despite some subtle jousting over the nuances of bringing peace to the intractable Israeli-Palestinian situation, the Prime Minister and Abdullah affirmed that peace would only be achieved through negotiations that lead to a two-state solution.

Many Arab and Muslim Canadians have criticized Mr. Harper over what they say is a tilt toward Israel that has compromised Canada's neutrality in the Middle East.

But because Mr. Harper favours a two-state solution, Abdullah said he does not share their view.

"I think that is in itself a very strong statement of balanced support to our part of the world," the King said.

"So I'm actually very, very happy with Canada's role and with the Prime Minister's vision for working as part of the team to try and get us moved forward," the Jordanian monarch added.