US President Barack Obama telephoned Jordan's King Abdullah II to discuss efforts to "overcome obstacles" facing the launch of Palestinian-Israeli peace talks, the palace said.

"The two leaders discussed Middle East developments, mainly efforts aimed at overcoming obstacles facing the launch of serious and effective Palestinian-Israeli negotiations in line with a two-state solution," a palace statement said.

It quoted the king as telling Obama that the United States "plays a key role in resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, which is a priority to achieve a comprehensive peace in the Middle East."

"Efforts must be intensified to launch negotiations that would lead to a two-state solution, which enjoys an international consensus," the king said.

In Washington, the White House said Obama "expressed his appreciation for Jordan's staunch support for a two-state solution and comprehensive peace in the region, and told the King he considers Jordan to be an integral partner of the United States."

The United States has been trying for months to re-launch peace talks, but the Palestinians are demanding that Israel halts all settlement growth in the West Bank and east Jerusalem as a pre-condition for negotiations.

The White House pledged on Friday to push "hard" for the talks in 2010, acknowledging it was a "major disappointment" that Obama's administration was unable to jump-start negotiations in its first year.

Jordan, a key US ally, signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1994.