AMMAN, Jordan?An attack on Iraq would undermine the war against terrorism and destabilize the Mideast, Jordanian King Abdullah II said Tuesday as he met with Vice President Dick Cheney to hear America’s case for ousting Saddam Hussein.

Cheney saw the king, a close U.S. ally, in the first stop of his 11-nation tour of the Middle East. The Bush administration is seeking support among Arabs for deposing the Iraqi president.

Abdullah had told an Iraqi diplomat on Sunday that a strike against Iraq would threaten the security and stability of the Middle East.

The king also urged a strong U.S. role to end the spiraling violence between Israel and the Palestinians.

Cheney, in remarks at an airport ceremony, called Jordan “a force for peace and against violence in this region.” He promised the United States will do all it can to quell fighting between the Israelis and Palestinians.