Amman, Alray - Jordan will play a role in the negotiations for a final settlement in the long-running conflict between Palestinians and Israelis, the kingdom's prime minister has said.

Abdullah Ensour said Jordan's involvement in the talks should not be perceived as an intervention by the kingdom. Instead, it should be viewed as a way for protecting Jordanian interests, including rights of Palestinian refugees many of whom have found shelter there, he said.

Speaking about ties with other countries in the region, the prime minister claimed that relations with Egypt had improved and said the kingdom backed a plan to build an oil pipeline linking Iraq to Jordan and Egypt. He said the project would foster closer ties between the three countries.