Jordan’s king has told Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama that an evenhanded U.S. policy would bolster America’s credibility in the Middle East.

King Abdullah II also told Obama that achieving Palestinian statehood is essential for ending the Arab-Israeli conflict.

A royal palace statement said Abdullah’s remarks came in a closed-door meeting with the Illinois senator Tuesday at Abdullah’s private Amman residence.

Obama vowed in a news conference earlier to work for a breakthrough in Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations _ as he put it _ “starting from the minute I’m sworn into office.”